Hugh Corrigan

Obituary
HUGH CORRIGAN
Hugh Corrigan, age 85 and a resident of Ithaca for 54 years, died peacefully on October 3, 2005 at Kendal at Ithaca. Son of Michael and Charlotte Corrigan, Hugh was born in Yonkers, N.Y. on February 4, 1920. He graduated from Charles E. Gorton High School in Yonkers in 1938 and from Dartmouth College (in absentia) in 1942. At Dartmouth he played on the varsity football and baseball teams and enlisted in the Marine Corps ROTC.He married Elizabeth Vincent in La Mesa, California on June 7, 1944. During their marriage of 61 years, they lived in San Diego, New London, CT, New York City, Long Island, NY, and finally in Ithaca.Called up to duty following the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, Hugh was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant and in 1942 saw action with the First Marine Division, which was cited for valor by the Secretary of the Navy for its combat operations in Guadalcanal. His platoon participated in the successful defense of Henderson Field against a superior Japanese force during the battle of the Tenaru River, the first victory over the Japanese in World War II.He also commanded a tank company in action with the Sixth Marine Division on Okinawa and was awarded the Purple Heart for wounds received on May 15, 1945. Portrayed at "Lieutenant Ivy-League" in Robert Leckie's novel, "A Helmet For My Pillow", Hugh was honorably discharged from the Marine Corps in 1946 as a Captain.Hugh pursued a varied career as a salesman, a partner in the West Shore Salt Company, a mink rancher, sales manager for Hi-Speed Check-Weigher Company, and finally as a placement specialist for Challenge Industries.He served as Co-President of the Fall Creek PTA, Neighborhood Commissioner of the Boy Scouts and as a member of the Board of Directors of the Ithaca Co-Op. Hugh was also a longtime active member of the Ithaca City Club.Hugh enjoyed winemaking, sketching and painting. He was an avid baseball fan. Hugh also enjoyed playing chess and cribbage with Betty, and playing poker with the boys. Hugh was a lifelong fitness enthusiast who pursued golfing, swimming and bike riding up until the time of his demise.Hugh was proudest of all his children, Michael, Hugh Jr., Ellin, and Timothy. He left them with a strong sense of personal values including integrity, courage and honor. His warmth and humor were felt by many people and missed by all. He is survived by his wife Elizabeth, his sons Michael (Marcia), Hugh Jr. and Timothy (Donna), his daughter Ellin and grandchildren Sean, David, Brian, Megan, Leah, Kaylie, and Kieran.A memorial service will be held at a later date. Memorial gifts, in lieu of flowers, may be made to Kendal at Ithaca, 2230 Triphammer Road North, Ithaca, NY 14850.