Gary Gilligan

Gary Matthew Gilligan 1942-2011 SHEFFIELD Gary Matthew Gilligan, 68, of Bow Wow Road in Sheffield died May 1, 2011 at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston. A native and lifelong resident of Sheffield, Gary was born November 23, 1942, the son of the late Matthew and Eleanor Cande Gilligan. He graduated from Mount Everett High School with the class of 1960 and in 1964 he received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Maine. Gary started working for his father Matthew at Gilligan Brothers construction company in Sheffield. Ultimately, Gary owned and operated the business along with his brother John and his late brother-in-law Dick Coon. An active member of his community, he served on numerous boards in Sheffield and was a member of the Sheffield Volunteer Hose Company for over twenty years. Gary liked to refer to himself as a farmer at heart. He raised chickens since boyhood and enjoyed caring for the many animals on his small farm. Gary took pleasure in the simple things in life. As a loving husband and father and beloved 'Poppy' to his two grandchildren, his greatest joy in life was being with his family. Gary is survived by his wife of 45 years, the former Janet Pendleton. The couple was married August 1, 1965 in Islesboro, Maine. He also leaves three sons, Paul and his wife Linda of Bedford, N.H., Kevin of Salem, Conn., and Brian of Sheffield, Mass.; two grandchildren, Matthew and Abigail of Bedford, N.H.; his sister Holly Coon, his brother John Gilligan and his wife Elsie all of Sheffield, his brother-in-law Harris Pendelton of Belfast, ME and several cousins, nieces and nephews. FUNERAL NOTICE: A service celebrating the life of the late Gary M. Gilligan will be held Sunday, May 15, 2011 at 1 p.m. at Old Parish Church in Sheffield, conducted by Rev. Jill Graham. Burial will be private. There will be no calling hours. Donations in memory of Gary may be made to the Berkshire Humane Society through FINNERTY & STEVENS FUNERAL HOME, 426 Main Street, Great Barrington, MA 01230, who is caring for the arrangements. Remembrances, memories and reflections may be sent to the family through www.finnertyandstevens.com