Joseph Alexander Harkins

Obituary Joseph "Bud" Harkins, the son of Alex and Eleanor Harkins, was born in Tacoma, Washington on April 21, 1921. He attended St. Patrick's grade school and graduated Salutatorian from Bellarmine Prep in 1938. Joe married Margaret Gaffney on May 1, 1943 and just celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary. They have 8 children: Kathleen (Dave) Keeney, Tim (Patty) Harkins, Vern (Kathleen) Harkins, Mary (Joe) Zavaglia, Joe (Lindsey) Harkins, Cecilia (Gary) Shumate, Shannon (Scott) Greenburg, and Kelly (Judy) Harkins. Joe and Margaret have 32 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren. Joe served in the US Navy during WWII, and retired from the US Postal Service. Joe coached youth football, baseball and CYO basketball, winning the eighth grade CYO state championship in 1966. An avid tennis player, Joe played tournaments and for fun into his early eighties. Service to his church was important to Joe. He taught religious education classes, was an active member of the Knights of Columbus and devoted many hours to the St. Vincent De Paul Society. Joe is survived by his immediate family and his brother Dan (Verna) Harkins. Joe's parents and siblings (Jack, Madeline, Harold and Rev. Verne Harkins, SJ) welcome him to heaven. Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Saturday, May 10, 2008 at 11:00 AM, St. Patrick's Church, 1001 North J Street, Tacoma. A Rosary will be held on Friday, May 9, 2008 at 7:00 pm at Gaffney Funeral Home in Tacoma. Interment at Calvary Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to the St. Vincent de Paul Society, (St. Patrick's Parish Chapter) or the "Bellarmine Campaign to Rebuild the Gym," Bellarmine Prep Development Office, 2300 S Washington, Tacoma, WA 98405.