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David Harrigan Obituary
Loving son, brother, uncle, and friend
TYNGSBOROUGH -- With his family all around him, David Harrigan went home to God on Wednesday morning, June 20, 2012. He died at his home, where he lived and laughed and loved. To say he fought a courageous battle with leukemia doesn't even begin to touch upon his story. David worked with many very special Doctors and Nurses at Massachusetts General Hospital for over 2 -- 1/2 -- years trying to conquer this cancer. He tried many experimental treatments with Dr. Eyal Attar and Linda Kafkas, RN whose research, along with David's trials will surely someday help to find a cure.
David was born in Lowell on November 15, 1958, a son of Helen (Regan) Harrigan who survives him, and the late John B. Harrigan. Dave was educated in Lowell schools and was a graduate of Lowell High School.
For 32 years Dave was everyone's favorite Mailman/Letter Carrier. Ask anyone on his route and they would tell you that Dave delivered more than just the mail. A smile and a "have a good day" were usually delivered along with the bills. He listened to people's stories and enjoyed telling some of his own. He knew the people on his route and he befriended them. David also had many, many friends outside of work.
He enjoyed playing golf with friends and always looked forward to his annual snowboarding trips out West. You can not speak of Dave Harrigan without mentioning his kind-hearted, likeable personality. Dave made it easy for you to be his friend. While David had no children of his own, his nieces and nephews and their children were truly his pride and joy.
David was the son of the late John B. Harrigan and the brother of the late James Harrigan, John (Happy) Harrigan, and Joseph Harrigan.
David leaves his dear Mother, Helen Harrigan; his siblings, Jo-Ann Gitschier and her husband, Robert, Patrick Harrigan and his wife, Kathryn, and Christopher Harrigan and his wife, Mary; his sister-in-law, Maria Harrigan; his nieces and nephews, Lee Gitschier, Erik Gitschier and his wife, Angela, Jamie Gitschier, Danny Martin, S. Patrick Harrigan, J. Colin Harrigan, S. Liam Harrigan, J. Owen Harrigan, Kelsey Harrigan, Kasey Harrigan, Kiley Harrigan; his great nieces and great nephews, Olivia Gitschier, Brianne Gitschier, Justin Gitschier, Zachary Gitschier; also aunts, uncles, and a multitude of friends that will miss him forever.
HARRIGAN -- In Tyngsborough, June 20, 2012 at his home surrounded by his family, David B. Harrigan, 53, a friend to all who knew him. Everyone is invited to celebrate David's life at a Graveside Funeral Prayer Service on TUESDAY MORNING AT 10 AM at the TYNGSBOROUGH MEMORIAL CEMETERY, FLETCHER RD., TYNGSBOROUGH. As an expression of sympathy Dave wanted donations made to his outstanding medical team, headed by Dr. Attar. Donations can be made payable and addressed to The Leukemia Discovery and Treatment Fund, c/o Massachusetts General Hospital, 165 Cambridge Street, Development Office - Suite 600, Boston, MA 02114. ARRANGEMENTS BY THE FAY McCABE FUNERAL DIRECTORS, 105 MOORE STREET, LOWELL, 978-459-9222. www.faymccabe.com
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for David Harrigan
Tony Cail
June 17, 2020
I took many western ski trips with David, and a few other friends .. our times together could not have been better ... we miss you Dave ..Tony
Mary Kirane
June 17, 2020
Dave is remembered with smiles and kind words! He was always a fun guy to work with at the Lowell Post Office. Sorry that in my memory last year I mentioned he was gone 8 years...when it was actually 7 years last year. Well another year has passed and he has now been gone 8 years! My husband Kevin and I both enjoyed his friendship...he will always be missed!
Mary Kirane
June 17, 2019
Eight years have gone by without Dave Harrigan on this earth but he is remembered and still loved by so many people. He was one of the good guys at the Lowell Post Office and he had a heart of gold - I think of him often.
Michaela Barrett
June 27, 2012
Dear Mrs Harrigan and family,
I was very sorry to hear that Dave passed away. My thoughts and prayers are with you during this very difficult time. Hoping you may find peace in all the good times and wonderful memories you shared.
With Deepest Sympathy,
Michaela Barrett
June 27, 2012
Dear Mrs.Harrigan and Jo-Ann,
My thoughts and prayers are with you. May pleasant memories sustain you at this time of deep sorrow.
Carol (Grady) Plauger
Christine Kopycinski
June 27, 2012
I was very sad to hear the news of David's passing, he was a very special person, and made everyone feel comfortable when he was around. My thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends and I pray the many memories of David will bring comfort to all during this difficult time.
Mary Kirane
June 26, 2012
There is a new Angel in Heaven and his name is Dave. I was blessed by seeing Dave downtown on June 12th - he gave me a big hug and said great to see you honey with that beautiful rich voice of his. I can hear his laugh and I can see that beautiful twinkle in his eyes. When I saw him I knew his time was approaching and yet his spirits were so great. His family can take solace in knowing he was such a great human being and he was at peace with everything. There is no doubt in my mind he is up there in Heaven having a great time. Here's to you Dave - till we meet again!
Francisco Maldonado
June 26, 2012
Dave, we will missing you. I enjoyed the time that we spend togther. I will never forget how awesome you were.
Your Friend,
Cisco
Paul & Pattie Gauthier
June 26, 2012
Thoughts and prayers are with you all. So very sorry for you loss.
Joanne McGilvery
June 26, 2012
Dear Dave,
My former classmate and friend. It was with great sorrow that I learned your brave battle with leukemia came to an end. My mother phoned to give me the news. Your kindness and respect to my parents as their mail-carrier at the Lord Manor will never be forgotten. All the tenants are heart-broken, you have been sorely missed by them. My mother loved you, and my father before his passing used to time his "cigar breaks" to when you would be arriving to deliver the mail, he so enjoyed chatting with you. Mum noticed your "fine legs" lol, when you wore the uniform shorts. Me, I was comforted knowing you kept an eye out for them, and never failed to stop and talk to me when my visits coincided with your mail delivery. Thank you for your many kindnesses.
All our love, from the entire McGilvery Family.
Sincerely,
Bob Kilmartin
June 26, 2012
My condolences to the Harrigan family. I graduated with David from LHS in '76 and will always remember him as one of the nicest guys in the class - - and a splendid friend across the years. I will always miss David, but know that we were blessed to have him - far too briefly. RIP David.
Joey and Donna McDonald
June 25, 2012
The Dave I got to know was a happy caring person who could easily be anyone's friend in life. I pray Dave is now in the house of the Lord and reunited with all others before him.
Dave my you rest in peace. You will Forever be loved and missed by all.
Heather Sweeney
June 25, 2012
All our love and prayers to your family Harry. We are so glad to have had you in our lives and have such great memories with you. Your infectious smile and unforgettable laugh will stay with us forever. You truly are one of a kind!
HP & Sweeney
maille nancy
June 25, 2012
Your family is always in our thoughts and prayers. Peace be with you The Maille Families
June 25, 2012
Wish I had met Dave sooner, BUT very glad I got to meet him.
tim
June 25, 2012
You will greatly missed but never forgotten. Condolences to the whole family. Rest in peace. God Bless.
Michael Lutkus
Debbie Tsaknopoulos
June 25, 2012
I the course of a lifetime we are touched by many people in our lives , but not many as special as David Harrigan. The kinda guy that would give a complete stranger the shirt off his back in a blinding snowstorm and expect nothing in return . In the 40 yrs I've known Dave I cannot count the times I've seen him go out of his way to make someones life better in any way he could.Someone that loved life and lived every single day to the fullest doing the things that brought him joy & happiness.He fought his cancer like he did everything else in life, never quitting on a goal he set for himself.Even though he knew his fate, he showed amazing courage , strength leading by example always putting his family ,friends before himself.
I honestly don't know if I could of done that being in the same situation. But when my day comes I'll be thinking...I want to go out like my good friend David Harrigan with dignity and the extreme respect ,love of others.He was a man that everyone was proud to call thier friend and will be missed by the many lives he touched. My deepest sympathy goes out to the Harrigan and Gitchier family. His loss is extremely tough to take but I can only hope our fond memories of Dave will help us get through this tough time.
Sincerely,
Hugh"Brad"Brady
Cheryl Daigneault
June 25, 2012
Dear Helen, JoAnn, Christopher and Patrick...and all of the Harrigan family members I am very sorry for your loss may all of your great memories hold you all close during this difficult time.
June 24, 2012
The last 10 years or so I was lucky enough to ski with and spend time with David for 1 week a year. The days we were together were the best of times. What could be better? It was all fun, fresh air, big mountains, men being boys! Dave was great to be with, always. As much as we enjoyed the skiing and snowboarding, we enjoyed being friends, all of us! I will forever treasure the times spent with Dave and I know that even though his life was cut short, he lived it to the fullest. Out there, on top of the big hills, Dave was at his best with friends he loved and friends who loved him. I will never forget you Dave. It really was the BEST OF TIMES!!
Your friend, Tony Cail
June 24, 2012
Another great guy taken too soon. May you now rest in peace Dave.
~Rhonda (Auclair)Shivel, Bonita Springs, FL
JoAnn Auclair
June 24, 2012
Rest in peace Dave
Chris Dyer
June 24, 2012
R.I.P. Dave My condolences to Mrs Harrigan and family.Dave will be missed by all that knew him.I will miss and think of him often.
Susan (Kirane) Sullivan
June 24, 2012
My condolences to Dave's family. We were friends for many years and I have lots of great memories of times with Dave. He truly was a very special person.
Guy Michalczyk
June 24, 2012
My heartfelt condolences to the entire Harrigan family. I worked with Dave at the Lowell Post Office for the past 25 years. He was a great guy who will be missed by all who were lucky enough to know him. Rest In Peace Pal.
Love Always, Scott & Eriikka Kopycinski
June 24, 2012
Dear Mrs. Harrigan and Family,
We deeply regret and send our condolences to you and your family's loss of Dave. He was a wonderful human being with a great outlook on life. If all could have but a piece of his goodness, the world will be a better place. He will be missed by all. Let us know if there is anything we can do; you all are in our thoughts and prayers.
Richard Gauthier
June 24, 2012
Helen, Joann and family
My thoughts and prayers....
June 24, 2012
Joann & family
David was such a great guy,always made time to say hello. A smile that made you smile back.
He is no longer in pain, may he rest in peace.
Judy Winters
chris alcorn
June 23, 2012
My condolences to the Harrigan Family. I was lucky enough to meet David on his route at Furey's through the years, and even luckier to play several rounds of golf with him during that time. I have never met a more upbeat and positive person in my life. Dave will be sorely missed by all that his infectious smile has touched over the years.
sue laplante ( cordingley)
June 23, 2012
helen & family my deepest regrds for your loss.
dave harrigan was our neighbor several years ago i hadn't seen him for several years but kept in touch with his family,he'll be missed by everyone that knew him.
he won't be forgotten the memories of him will always be there
June 23, 2012
Helen and Family
My sincerest condolences on the loss of Dave. You are in my thoughts and prayers.
love, diane fournier
Bobby Beauregard
June 23, 2012
Dave My Dear Friend, Thanks for making me feel special whenever we spent time together! Our Incredible Loss is Gods Gain! see you down the Road Buddy!
sue laplante (cordingley)
June 23, 2012
r.i.p.dave you'll be mikssed by every
one that knew you.
Cathie Hovey
June 23, 2012
Dave I hope you have peace now. My deepest condolences to the Harrigan family.The world has lost one of it's brightest lights.
Raymond Welcome
June 23, 2012
My prayers are with you Mrs Harrigan, I am an old friend of Jimmy and knew David also. He was a very sweet guy. He will be missed by all who knew him.
Al Lenzi
June 23, 2012
Dave was a great kid who will be missed. sorry to the whole Harrigan crew
Al Lenzi
sue laplante (cordingley)
June 23, 2012
my condolences to dave''s family & friends i knew him he was my neighbor a long time ago on middlesex st.
i hadn't seen him in many years recalled being neighors with him & his family it was 40 something yrs.ago he was always smiling.
keep the memories you have of him in your heart they will always be there to look back on.
June 23, 2012
Dave will be missed, I hadn't seen or spoken to him in a very long time, but he held a very special place in my heart, God Bless.
Scotty Kopycinski
June 23, 2012
David was truly a special person, there are no others like him, he was surely one of a kind. My condolences Mrs. Harrigan you should be proud of your son , he will be sadly missed by all that he knew and loved. RIP buddy.
Bev Larose
June 23, 2012
18 years ago I started at the Lowell Post Office not knowing anything about it. Dave was one of the 2 people stuck training me. He was patient,funny,very kind and obviously new his job.I am so glad I got to spend that time and many more years knowing him. Rest in peace my friend.
George Hovey
June 23, 2012
My condolences to Dave's family and friends. I knew Dave from our days of playing ball and mutual friends. He always was quick to smile and say hello.
RIP Dave.
donnahearts inns gitschier
June 23, 2012
thinking of you Helen - as always... please know you will always be in my thoughts and in my heart as will david jimmy happy joe and grampa john
linda kafkas
June 23, 2012
David will be sorely missed. he was so full of life and joy. It was a great honor for me to be able to take part in his care. My sincere sympathies to his family and friends.
donna gitschier
June 23, 2012
an amazing man and an even better uncle. never judged or questioned who you were, just accepted.
thank you for being a part of our lives and sharing with Justin and bri your love for life sports and health. we always talked about your magic smoothie machine-convincing them to drink spinach and mango mixed in a blender! uuhhg!!
thank you for teaching them to be confident in who they were and always taking an invested interest in whatever they chose to do. you will always be remembered with love and laughter!
Maree and Al Gregoire
June 23, 2012
Our deepest sympathy to Dave's mother and family. We are so relieved that Dave is suffering no more. What a wonderful legacy he leaves of courage and strength and love and friendship. He truly was one of the kindest, most genuine people I've ever known. He was also a very special, caring friend to my mother, Mimi. Rest in peace, Dave. Anyone who ever knew you will never forget you.
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