Community Relations Officer Gary Harkins Lives On At ‘Best Friend’ Fundraiser

By Maria Merlino
A fundraiser for the family of the late Community Relations Officer Gary Harkins was held on Jan. 8 at the Ballroom of the Stadium Holiday Inn.

3RD DIST. CAPT. Frank Milillo, from Goldenberg Group; Anne Espenshade; Marie Harkins; 1st Dist. Councilman Mark Squilla; Nick Harkins; Lina Petrino; Community Relations Officer Juan “Ace” Delgado honoring the memory the late Community Relations Officer Gary Harkins. Photo by Maria Merlino

The beloved police officer was a fixture in South Philadelphia for more than 25 years. His death left a gaping hole in the hearts of his family, fellow officers, friends and neighbors. He was to be fêted as Office of the Year this month but he succumbed to his disease in November.
“Gary and I worked together for 18 years,” said Community Relations Officer Juan “Ace” Delgado. “We were a team in the neighborhood. This was put together in memory of Gary.”
Son Nick Harkins, 22, had a kind of tranquility that only a person who had the composure of a well-brought-up child would have. He learned about life and how to be a true human being from his dad.

COMMUNITY Relations Officer Juan “Ace” Delgado, who worked with Gary Harkins for 18 years; former Republican mayoral candidate Karen Brown; and Gary’s son Nick Harkins. Photo by Maria Merlino

“My father was definitely a community man,” begins Nick. “He was always talking about the job in South Philly. He really invested himself in the neighborhood people. South Philly was his second home and although we live in the Northeast, he considered himself a South Philadelphian. He had a great vitality and charisma. He loved being upbeat, so much so that his nickname was ‘Officer Smiley’. He was my hero and I have very big shoes to fill. He was always about the people and treating people with respect as you don’t know their situation. His motto was ‘Work smart, not hard. Use your head.’”

Anne Espenshade, senior property manager with Goldenberg Group who has retail stores in Snyder Plaza, met Gary on her second day of working at Target. Her company sponsored the event.
“The most important thing to say about Gary is that he was your best friend and took the burden of worrying upon his shoulders,” she said.

MARIE HARKINS, 1st District Councilman Mark Squilla and Nick Harkins, son of late Community Relations Officer Gary Harkins, huddle for a photo. Councilman Squilla often took advice of Gary when neighborhood issues arose. Photo by Maria Merlino

SON OF GARY HARKINS, Nick Harkins, 3rd Dist. Capt. Frank Milillo and Gary’s wife Maria Harkins enjoy friendship of the evening. Photo by Maria Merlino

   Send article as PDF