Richard J. Corrigan
November 8, 1920 - October 27, 2011
Obituary
On Thursday October 27, 2011 Richard J. Corrigan (Dick) passed away peacefully at his home in West Seattle, surrounded by family. Just short of his 91st birthday, he was the last living son of John and Elizabeth Corrigan. With his sister Mary Ellen and brothers: John, Barrett, Cadwell, Dan, Martin, Edward , and Robert, Dick grew up in the Capitol Hill neighborhood. He attended Immaculate Conception grade school and graduated from Seattle Prep with the class of 1938. He joined the US Army in 1942. He married his childhood friend, Florida Frances Perri on July 3, 1942 in Berwin, IL. After 53 years of marriage Florida preceded him in death in 1995. Dick provided an outstanding example of loving devotion by caring for Florida as she struggled with the debilitating effects of MS throughout the last 20 years of her life.
Dick graduated from Seattle University with a business degree in 1948. He had a long and distinguished career in business and finance working primarily in the construction field. He retired from Stoneway Concrete in 1985 but continued an ever-present home business of tax accounting for local friends and businesses.
Dick’s Catholic faith was an integral part of his life. His longstanding commitment to the poor and disenfranchised was apparent through his work with the St. Vincent DePaul Society both at Our Lady of Guadalupe in West Seattle and St. Francis of Assisi in Burien.
Dick and Florida provided a secure and welcoming home for their six children, 17 grandchildren, and 18 great grandchildren. They fostered an environment that emphasized Catholic education and they created an atmosphere that allowed each of their children an opportunity to succeed in their chosen fields. Involvement with their large extended Irish-Italian family insured vibrant memories. Dick and Florida hosted many lively events in their home, especially around the holidays.
Dick had many cherished friends. Well into his 80’s, he maintained a longstanding east-side meeting with the “lunch bunch”: a group of former classmates from grade and high school. Dick was blessed with a quick wit and a dry sense of humor that was always apropos and entertaining. He always kept you on your toes!
Dick is survived and will be deeply missed by his children: Carol Collins (Jim), Richard Corrigan Jr. (Jeanne), Corinne Corrigan, Diane Ongstad (Ron), Barrett Corrigan (Maggie), and Terry Corrigan (Tammie); 17 grandchildren and 18 great grandchildren.
A rosary service will be held Thursday evening at 7:00 p.m. at Our Lady of Guadalupe Church in West Seattle. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday November 4, 2011. Interment will be the following day at Pleasant Ridge Cemetery in La Conner, WA on Saturday November 5, at 10:00 a.m. Remembrances may be sent to St. Vincent DePaul Society c/o Archdiocese of Seattle, 710 9th Avenue, Seattle, WA.
