The funeral service of the late Joseph Haraldo Harrigan took place at the Church of God (Holiness) on the balmy afternoon of Saturday, August 17th. Hundreds of people filled the church to pay their final respects to a man known as a humble business icon who had made his mark during the early years of Anguilla’s commercial development. Haraldo had passed away on Monday, August 5th at 3:32 a.m. at the ripe age of 99.
Moderating the Service of Thanksgiving for his life was Bishop Samuel Daniel of the Church of God of Prophecy. He reflected on the notion that funerals and memorial services were generally sad occasions but the purpose of the day’s service was to honour the memories of Brother Harrigan, noting that he was a longstanding believer, a father of Zion and a member of the Church. “We celebrate his legacy of godliness,” he said. “His was a life of good moral standing and strong family virtues in the Anguilla community.”
Pastor Trent Berg of the Seventh Day Adventist Church was tasked to bring Words of Comfort. He spoke in soothing tones of consolation to the family, saying: “We realize, in these moments, that we seek to do our best to comfort you, but then we realize that only Jesus can truly do that.
“However, as we take time to reflect on Brother Harrigan’s life, we can see that he had a genuine desire to see his neighbours and his friends come into a saving relationship with Jesus Christ. And so we wonder why now — why did he have to go when he was just on the doorstep of one hundred. But there is an old song that says ‘God is too wise to be mistaken.’”
Words of Reflection were shared by Haraldo’s son, Joseph, who recounted both jovial and semi-solemn times in his father’s life. The Eulogy, which consisted of many intriguing and interesting acts of achievement in the life of the deceased, was delivered by his son, James.
One noteworthy aspect of the eulogy was when it hinted that although Haraldo did not celebrate his 100th birthday — seeing that he died 9 months short of the century — and since he spent 9 months in his mother’s womb, he did, in fact, exist for a total of 100 years, when those 9 months are added to the 99 years and 3 months which he spent on earth. This supports the general view, in conservative circles, that life begins at the point of conception.
The sermon was preached by Haraldo’s youngest son, J.Joel Harrigan, and it centred on the theme “What’s in the Box”. His text was taken from Psalm Chapter 89 and verse 8 where a rhetorical question was asked: ‘What man is he that lives and shall not see death, shall he deliver his life from the hand of the grave?’
The main connotation and moral of the sermon was that the remains of Bro. Haraldo’s body was laying in a box, yes, but more importantly, by the way, he lived, he had been laying treasures in the treasure box in heaven where “moth and rust cannot destroy and where thieves cannot break through and steal.”
It is usually a somber time at funeral services when people realize the finality of the moments at hand, and that the deceased would never be seen on earth again. Though that finality was indeed recognized with regard to Haraldo’s death, the mode of the entire service — in the church and at the graveside — was a jubilant one, full of joy with an air of rejoicing. This was evident by the many tributes rendered, prior to the service, by Haraldo’s family members and friends, as well as by neighbours of the Shoal Bay/Little Dix community where he resided.
Mr. Harrigan was a shrewd businessman who trafficked in the sale of the thatch broom, which he made popular. He was a great lover of gospel music too, and he was an avid player of the guitar, the keyboard, the accordion, the harmonica and the drum.
He leaves to mourn five children, namely: Joseph, James, Dorcas, John and Jerome. As his remains were committed to the tomb, the first four children stuck 20 beats each on his old treasured snare drum, while his youngest son, Jerome, rendered 19 beats, for a total of 199 beats, in synch with Haraldo parting age. May his soul rest in peace.
– Staff Reporter: James R. Harrigan
