Col. Jack Colligan

Retired U.S. Air Force Col. John Joseph "Jack" Colligan died Oct. 31, 2025, following a prolonged period of illness. He was 84 and is survived by his three children Patty (and husband Brian Mater), Brian (and wife Alison Cozy), and Katy (Eccard, and husband Steven), sister Florence (Cahill, and husband Terry) as well as granddaughter Maggie Eccard. He was preceded in death by JoAnn, his wife of 58 years.

Jack was an American hero, a dedicated service member with an exemplary 27-year military career in the U.S. Air Force; a loving father, husband, brother and grandfather; and an engaged citizen concerned about the world. He was an avid golfer, a voracious consumer of news, a tremendous storyteller and a loyal friend to those lucky enough to spend time in his orbit.

Born in Brooklyn on July 26, 1941, to John and Florence Colligan, Jack was a proud son of Flatbush and New York City. He attended Brooklyn Prep before graduating from Manhattan College in 1962 and beginning his service to our nation.

During his time in the Air Force, he shouldered responsibility for a host of programs essential to the safety and security of the United States, beginning with time at Cape Canaveral as a launch systems engineer on the Gemini space program. He was most proud of his work on the F-117 Stealth fighter, Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS) aircraft, and Joint Surveillance Target Attack Radar System (Joint STARS) programs. While in the service, Jack earned a master's in finance at Syracuse University, graduating Phi Beta Kappa, and taught international security studies for a year at the University of Pittsburgh.

Following his retirement in 1989, Jack was a sought-after executive who held senior positions at Westinghouse, Computing Devices International, Grumman and the Mitre Corp.

Through stops in Florida, California, Maryland, New York, the District of Columbia, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Massachusetts, Texas and South Carolina, Jack was fortunate to have the loving support of JoAnn, who grew up only a few blocks from him in Brooklyn. They were married in 1964 and they were a true partnership and a loving couple until her death in 2022.

Though affected by illness in his later years, Jack remained curious and sharp, keeping abreast of current events and eager to regale family and friends alike with a litany of stories gathered from his remarkable life. Jack leaves us having deeply enriched our lives and bettered our nation. He will be dearly missed.

Visitation will be from 6:00-8:00 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 11 in the Life Tribute Center at Cumby Family Funeral Service in High Point, N.C. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 12, at Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church in High Point, N.C. with The Reverend Patrick O'Connor, O.S.F.S., officiating. A committal service with military honors will follow from 12:30-1:00 p.m. at Salisbury National Cemetery, 501 Statesville Blvd. in Salisbury, N.C.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations in Jack's name to the Alzheimer's Association (alz.org), the Air and Space Forces Association (afa.org), and the Ronald McDonald House (ronaldmcdonaldhouse.org).