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William A. Kerrigan

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Boston College College of the Holy Cross

William Kerrigan Obituary

KERRIGAN WILLIAM A. KERRIGAN, 81, longtime executive of United Way and later the co-proprietor (with his wife, Mary) of the BillowHouse, a popular oceanfront guesthouse in Ocean Park, ME, died on Friday, Dec. 23, in his home from pancreatic cancer. Mr. Kerrigan was born in Haverhill, MA. He later graduated from the College of the Holy Cross and earned a master's degree in social work from Boston College. He served in the U.S. Navy during W. W. II. He was married in 1953 to the former Mary O'Toole, a native of Dorchester, MA. The couple went on to have nine children and 20 grandchildren. During his career, Mr. Kerrigan dedicated his professional life to the United Way working in Boston, Ashtabula, OH, Albany, NY, Westchester County, NY, among other stops. He ended his career as the top executive of the United Way of Greater Cleveland. At a 1987 party in Cleveland, held to mark his retirement from the United Way after 42 years, it was calculated that $618 million had been raised under his leadership in various postings over the years. Two of his children, his son Christopher Kerrigan and daughter, Bernadette Kerrigan, now work for United Way. He is survived by his wife Mary of Ocean Park, ME; his brother Joseph of Nashua, NH; and his nine children: Maureen Wearn of Portland, OR, Bill Kerrigan, Jr. of Wellesley, MA, Monica Kerrigan, currently on assignment in Indonesia, James Kerrigan of Mountain View, CA, Julie Kerrigan Ettorre of Cleveland, OH, Christopher Kerrigan of Charleston, SC, Bernadette Kerrigan of Cleveland, OH, Katie Kerrigan of Bedford, MA, and Seanna Kerrigan of Portland, OR. VISITORS WILL BE RECEIVED AT COTE FUNERAL HOME, 87 JAMES ST., SACO, ME, ON MONDAY, DEC. 26, FROM 5-7 P.M. Funeral Mass will be held on Tuesday, Dec. 27, at 10 a.m. at Most Holy Trinity Church in Saco, ME. Burial will immediately follow at Laurel Hill Cemetery, Saco, ME. The family asks that, in lieu of flowers, contributions be sent in his name to the Hospice of Southern Maine, 901 Washington St., Portland, ME 04103.

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Published by Cleveland.com on Dec. 25, 2005.

Memories and Condolences
for William Kerrigan

16 Entries

Pat Lasko

January 13, 2006

Dear Mary, Greatest sympathy to you and your family on losing Bill. I only stayed with you on two occasions, but was so impressed with his graciousness, good humour and interest in everyone. He will be missed. You are in my thoughts just now. Pat Lasko

Irene Gray

January 9, 2006

Dearest Mary

Bob and I feel our lives have been enriched for having known Bill and having spent such wonderful time with both of you in the summers. We uphold you and all the children in our prayers and pray for grace and peace to be yours each one. In Christian love, Irene

Joyce Cunningham

January 7, 2006

Dear Mary & Family: As my grandchildren are learning of Bill's passing, they have each expressed shock and sadness in their own way. We loved being greeted by this gentle man during our stays at the Billowhouse. His smile, presence and personality will be sorely missed by all.

David Lyon

January 6, 2006

My deepest condolences to all of the Kerrigan family. I will always have fond memories of the great times we spent with Bill, Mary, and all of the kids when growing up in Ashtabula.

Sincerely,

katherine pelham

December 30, 2005

Sincere sympathy to all the Kerrigan's. Bill was a wonderful leader, with a great sense of humor. I learned a great deal from him as our CAN DO counsel & guide. He is remembered fondly.

Kathy

Barbara and Lou Godzik

December 30, 2005

Our condolences to the Kerrigan Family. Please know our prayers are with you at this very sad time. Bill will always have a special place in our hearts. Our family thought the world of him. He was a very special person.

The Godzik Family

John Ettorre

December 28, 2005

Dearest Granny, our thoughts are with you always. We love you, as we loved and still love Bill.

Tom & Audrey DeLoffi

December 28, 2005

Dear Mary,

We are so sorry that we could not be with you this week--but you and your family are in our thoughts & prayers. Bill's presence as Mr. Hospitality of Ocean Park shall be greatly missed. Love, Tom & Audrey

Albert & Virginia Stith

December 27, 2005

Dear Mary,

our deepest sympathy in the loss of Bill. The Kerrigans were always like family to Albert and myself. May the peace of God be with you and the children at this time.

Linda Coomer

December 27, 2005

My sincere condolences to the Kerrigan and Billow House family of this kind and gentle man... His presence and legacy will be sadly missed in the Ocean Park community...

Narsobowo Soedarsono

December 27, 2005

To Kerrigan family, especially Mrs. Monica Kerrigan: My deepest condolence to you and you're family. Your late father has inherited the most important things in life: LOVE and CARING. And it's all in you, Mrs. Monica, your husband Chris and the "Three Musketeers". May God give strength to you and the big family. Amen.

john pydych

December 26, 2005

Bill was loved by all that met him and will be deeply missed .He will always be one of my most favorite persons in my life .

John Pydych

(Oceanside Lawn Care)

Judy & Steve Breitmaier

December 26, 2005

Dear Mary and Family,

We are so very sorry to hear about Bill. He was a wonderful man and will be missed. We loved staying at the Billowhouse before we bought our own home in Ocean Park. It won't be the same walking by the Billowhouse on the way to the beach and not seeing Bill, always smiling and asking about the family. Our prayers and thoughts are with you all at this time.

Steve & Judy Breitmaier and Family

Karin Knutsen

December 26, 2005

Dear Mary,

Remembering you fondly with heartfelt sympathy....

Karin, Birgit and Steinar

Rolande Jacques

December 24, 2005

Sorry to hear of Bill death.My deepest condolences to you and you're family. Rolande

Paul Blake

December 24, 2005

Hello to the Kerrigans,

As you know Ryan amd myself have been Billow House visitors since the begining. For those who remember us, Mary, Katie and Bill Jr. please accept our most sincere and deepest sympathy for the passing of Bill Sr.

Bill as you know was the warmest and most sincere people that O.P has ever had the pleasure of knowing!!

Bill will be misssed for the rest of my life. Hopefully the Billow House will continue in Bill's spirit for ever.

Love Paul & Ryan

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