John E. Garrigan

John Edwin Garrigan, age 85 of Cohasset, formerly of Hanover, died peacefully surrounded by family on January 22, 2017.  He is survived by his close friend Jane Ellis and was the loving father of Brian Garrigan and wife Lauren of Milford, MA; Brenda Garrigan of Quincy, MA; Martha Trickler and husband Scott of Halifax, MA; and Mark Garrigan of Stratford, NH.  He was the devoted grandfather of Jarrod, John, Elizabeth, and Forrest, and the brother of Phyllis Quinlan and husband Lawrence of Bridgewater and the late Rosemary Wyman of Norwell.  He remained close with his former wife Claire (Ferguson) Garrigan and former daughter-in-law Karen Garrigan and husband Randy, and many nieces and nephews.  

John served in the US Army in Korea, receiving two Bronze Service Stars. He was selected to join the United Nations Honor Guard Unit, under General Maxwell Taylor. He taught physical education and later special education classes at Hingham Public Schools for 43 years, pioneering specialized practices for students with emotional difficulties.  He enjoyed coaching varsity baseball at Hingham High during his teaching days and beyond his retirement, earning membership in the Massachusetts Baseball Coaches Association “100 Victories Club”.  He was born a Boston Braves fan and was proud to champion his underdog team against their more popular rivals.  It took years for him to embrace the Red Sox, but once he did, he enjoyed Fenway Park with his family and friends, last attending in September where he has a permanent dedication at Gate B, Section 9.  He enjoyed skiing, golf and cribbage, and he soloed an airplane and rode a motorcycle.  He loved the Andy Griffith Show and Leave it to Beaver.   

Family and friends are invited to celebrate John during visiting hours on Friday, January 27th from 3-7 pm at the McNamara-Sparrell Funeral Home, 160 South Main St. (across from St. Anthony Church), Cohasset, MA.  A funeral service will be held on Saturday, January 28th at 2:30 pm at the First Congregational Church of Hanover, 17 Silver Street, Hanover, MA.  A private interment ceremony will be held at a later date at the Massachusetts National Veteran’s Cemetery, Bourne.  In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in John’s name to the Old Colony YMCA, Big Sister Big Brother, 320 Main St., Brockton, MA 02301.  Feel free to write “in memory of John Garrigan” on the memo line of the check.

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