SOUTHPORT — James J. Garrigan Jr., 97, passed away Wednesday, Sept. 21, 2016, at Carillon Assisted Living in Southport, North Carolina.
Mr. Garrigan was born Feb. 16, 1919, son of the late James Garrigan and Katherine Lynch Garrigan. He is preceded in death by his first wife, Eleanor Garrigan Weinstein and his second wife, Nellie H. Garrigan.
He served in the Navy during World War II, attended Columbia University in New York City and later became a licensed union pipe fitter. For 50 years he developed and established his own industrial piping business in Harrison New Jersey. When he moved to the eastern shore of Maryland, he and Nellie opened a gift shop, The Treasure Chest, and were also instrumental in restoring the Shrine of Saint Francis Xavier (“Old Bohemia Catholic Church”) in Cecil County, Maryland.
In his retirement, Mr. Garrigan split winters between Hobe Sound, Florida, and summers at his love, Cape May, New Jersey. Finally, residing in Southport for his final years, he was able to enjoy his growing family of grandchildren, nieces, and nephews. You would always find him singing his heart out in local choral groups.
Left to cherish his memory are his children: James J. Garrigan III and his wife, Mary, of Fayetteville, North Carolina, and Dorothy Jensen and her husband Eugene of Andover, New Jersey; his grandchildren, James J. Garrigan IV (wife, Jennifer) of Charlotte North Carolina, Joseph C. Garrigan (wife, Snoa) of Greensboro North Carolina, Michael J. Garrigan (wife, Holly) of Greensboro, Eugene P. Jensen and Wendy of Leicester North Carolina; four great-grandchildren, Ivy, Isaac, Luke and Naomi; a dear niece, Susan Smith of Southport, North Carolina; nephews: John Finnerty (wife, Pam) of Basking Ridge New Jersey, Jack Delaport (wife, Vivian) of Flagstaff, Arizona, and Ben Garrison (wife, Kathi) of Fairfield, Conneticut; great nephew, Jeff Smith of Southport; great nieces: Tara Russell of Belville, North Carolina, and Tracy Smith of Plymouth, Massachusetts; and grandnieces: Maddie and Chelsea of Belville.
A funeral mass will be held at 11 a.m. on Thursday, Sept. 29, 2016, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church. He will be interred at the “Old Bohemia” Catholic Church Cemetery, next to his beloved wife.
A viewing will be held from 6-8 p.m., Wednesday, Sept. 28, 2016, at Peacock-Newnam & White Funeral Home in Southport.
Online condolences may be made at www.peacocknewnamwhite.com.