Michael Corrigan

Michael Corrigan

Colrain, MA - The Reverend Michael Corrigan of Colrain MA, died unexpectedly of a heart attack on Feb. 1st at the age of 80.

Born in Baltimore MD to Bishop Daniel and Elizabeth Corrigan, he grew up in St. Paul, MN, Denver, CO and New York City. Informed by his parents' dedicated works of civil disobedience and gender equality in the Episcopal Church, Michael spent his early adult years at Columbia University, there he protested the Vietnam war, served on the Strike Coordinating Committee during the historic, student-led University shutdown of 1968, and volunteered at St. Stephen and the Incarnation in Washington DC.

Fortified by these experiences, Michael sought a career in the ministry. He graduated from the Episcopal Theological School in Cambridge, MA and was ordained by Bishop Paul Moore at the Cathedral of St. John the Divine in New York City. He served first as curate at the Church of the Holy Spirit in Lake Forest, IL and shortly thereafter became rector at Church of the Good Shepherd in Granite Spring, NY.

Michael then moved to the Boston area where he served first as chaplain at Boston University, then as rector at St. John's Church in Westwood, MA, and finally as rector at Church of Our Savior in Brookline, MA, where he faithfully and tirelessly served for 17 years. Michael's vision for Church of Our Savior was that of a thriving, multigenerational community, built on a dedication to the Gospel, Christian intellectualism, education, and acts of service and kindness. The lives and families he touched during his ministry there will always be a part of the church's legacy.

Upon his retirement from Church of Our Savior, Michael was appointed chaplain at the Northfield Mount Hermon School in Gill, MA. Drawing from the deep love he had for his own boarding school experience, he enthusiastically taught, coached, mentored, and ministered both teacher and student alike, reinvigorating the church's role in the community of NMH.

Michael served as a trustee for his beloved alma mater the South Kent School as well as Hebron Academy. In 2001, Michael provided counseling and spiritual guidance to survivors and responders at Ground Zero in the aftermath of 9/11. In his retirement, he was an active member of St. John's Church in Ashfield, MA, where he was assistant treasurer and served on the liturgy and mission committees. He also traveled widely, from Machu Picchu to Rome, sang in the Greenfield Community College Chorus, relished his daily runs and was an avid Boston University hockey fan.

Michael Corrigan was a remarkable and giving father, husband, partner, friend, confidant, and healer. His compassion, warmth, and infectious humor is deeply loved and missed. Michael is survived by his adored partner, Nancy Boyd; his children; Nell Waters, Sam, James, and Patrick Corrigan; and grandchildren; Max, Luke, and Logan Bernegger, Sienna, Fiona, and Celine Corrigan; he is also survived by his daughters-in-law; Alexandra Pirozzi and Julia Corrigan; loved co-parent Sylvia Robinson Corrigan, mother of Nell and Sam and his many beloved nieces and nephews. Michael is predeceased by his loving and devoted wife of 35 years and parent of James and Patrick, Patricia Corrigan; his brothers, David, Robert, Daniel, Patrick, and John Corrigan, as well as his parents Bishop Daniel and Elizabeth Corrigan.

A funeral service will be held on March 28th, at 10:00 AM at Grace Church in Amherst, MA.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. John's Church in Ashfield, MA.