Obituary

Rev. Dr. Eugene (Gene) James Corrigan, 68, died June 21st, 2006, at 3:27 pm due to complications stemming from treatments for cancer. He was preceded in death by his parents, Harry and Mary Agnes Corrigan; brothers, Thomas and Harry (Bob) Corrigan, Jr.; sisters, Rita Knee and Kathleen Corrigan. Gene is survived by his loving and devoted wife, Sandra; children, Dennis, Belinda, Theresa, and Christopher; grandchildren Steven, Jessica, Kathryn, Chelsea, and Sean; great grandchildren Riley and Logan; daughter-in-law Karen; granddaughter-in-law Karen Bazemore; brothers, Francis (Simone), George, and Dean Corrigan; sisters, Margaret (Peggy) Corrigan, Madeline (Carlyle) Wentworth, and Marie Witter. Gene was originally from Gorham, New Hampshire, but had called Chester, Virginia home for the last 40 years. During this time, Gene was very active in coaching the youth of his town in baseball, basketball, and softball, participating and leading the local chapter of the Lions Club, and a local troop of Boy Scouts. Gene received a Ph.D. at Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana, and was an accomplished chemist. He had a distinguished career that included employment at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Firestone, A. H. Robbins, and Honeywell. Gene was very loving, gentle, and patient and was loved by all who knew him. He was gifted in many ways from painting to photography to storytelling. He expressed those gifts through his faith and church. As a faithful Catholic Christian, Gene devoted much of his time serving his Catholic parish family. His ministry began at St. Ann’s Parish in Colonial Heights during the 60s and 70s. There he participated actively within the parish, serving on the parish pastoral council, and as a lector, Eucharistic minister, and director of religious education. Gene continued to serve in religious ministries when he and the family transferred to St. Augustine’s Parish in 1977. Continuing his active participation, Gene was ordained as a permanent deacon to the Church and Diocese of Richmond. The viewing will be from 5-7 pm followed by the Mass of the Resurrection and reception, all held at St. Augustine’s Catholic Church on Tuesday, June 27th. There will be a small graveside service 11 am Wednesday at Sunset Memorial Park (2901 W