James Carrigan

Biography James Patrick Carrigan, 92, died on Thursday, November 01, 2012 surrounded by his family, in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, following a stroke. His journey ended on All Saint’s Day which celebrates the lives of all Christians who have died in a state of grace. Jim was born on Sunday, February 01, 1920 in Bucyrus, Ohio, the only son of Edward Dennis Carrigan and Helen (Nell) O’Donnell Carrigan. The child who is born on the Sabbath Day is bonny and blithe and good and happy. He attended elementary and high school in Bucyrus, Ohio, followed by Saint Joseph’s Preparatory School in Philadelphia. He then enrolled and graduated from Pennsylvania State University in 1942 with a degree of Bachelor of Science in Petroleum Engineering. Following graduation, Jim joined the United States Navy and was commissioned as an Ensign with assignments in England and France, and, following VE Day, San Francisco, California, where he was mustered out following VJ Day as a Lieutenant J.G. He received an Honorable Discharge. Jim worked for the Texas Petroleum Company (Texaco) from 1946 to 1980, with assignments in Venezuela (Roblecito, Gulf of Paria, Mata, and Caracas,). He married Judith Mary Barber on May 25, 1950 in Caracas, Venezuela, after a courtship that began when he first met her in 1948 at the Roblecito, Guarico, oil field camp. Judy still remembers: “He cleaned up well.” Jim and Judy made Venezuela their home for more than 30 years and embraced Venezuelan customs and culture. Highlights included his service on the Board of Directors of Escuela Campo Alegre and golfing with his buddies. Upon retirement in 1980, he resided in Cocoa Beach and Cape Canaveral, Florida, where he focused on his investment portfolio. He and Judy spent summers in Massachusetts and travelled extensively in Europe, Mexico, China and Russia. Jim was a member of the Knights of Columbus, the Noble Order of Hibernians, and the American Legion. Son of a union leader and a Kennedy Democrat, he became a staunch Republican. A devout Catholic, he was a contributing parishioner of Our Saviour Catholic Church in Cocoa Beach, Florida. Together, Jim and Judy volunteered at the Cape Canaveral Hospital Auxiliary for many years. Jim’s motto was “work hard, play hard,” and he appreciated beauty in all its manifestations. He enjoyed playing bridge, dancing, jazz and latin music, and talking and visiting with friends from all walks of life. He charmed everyone with his ready compliments - every meal was the “best he ever had, really and truly.” He was always looking to the future and greeted every New Year in style - in a tuxedo. A kind and steadfast friend, Jim leaves a wake of lifelong and newly acquired admirers. Jim is survived, and remembered lovingly, by his spouse of 62 years, Judith B. Carrigan; his children, James Patrick Carrigan, Dennis Michael Carrigan, and Colleen Maria Carrigan, and their spouses, Cecilia Villaran Carrigan, Annegret Carrigan and William Devereux Palmer; and his grandchildren, Erin Denise Carrigan, Sean Victor Carrigan and his wife, Megan B. Carrigan, Megan Patricia Carrigan, Caitlin Gabriella Palmer and Reed Devereux Palmer. Visitation hours will be held from 4:00PM to 7:00PM Thursday, November 8, 2012 at the Beckman-Williamson Funeral Home, 101 North Brevard Ave., Cocoa Beach, FL 32931. Phone: 321.784.0116. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:30AM on Friday, November 09, 2012, at Our Saviour Catholic Church, 5301 N. Atlantic Avenue, Cocoa Beach, FL 32937. Office: 321-783-4554. A reception will be held at the Church following the funeral service. A brief internment ceremony will be held at 10:00AM Saturday, November 10, 2012, at the Memorial Garden located at Our Saviour Catholic Church. For more information please call 305-984-7923. In lieu of flowers, Jim has asked that donations be made in his memory to the Florida Sheriffs Youth Ranches, Inc., P. O. Box 2000, Boys Ranch, Florida 32064. 1-800-765-3797. You may sign Jim’s guestbook at www.beckman-williamson.com. He will forever be remembered as JPC: “Jodido, pero contento!”