Long-time Lynnfield resident, John K. “Jack” Harrigan passed away on July 3rd. He and his wife, Judy, have lived on Fernway for the past 50-plus years. Raised in Salem, Harrigan was appointed by the Select Board in 2016 to serve on the Town of Lynnfield’s War Memorial Committee. He was elected as their Treasurer by the War Memorial Committee. Harrigan was also active in Lynnfield American Legion Post 131, serving as their Vice Commander and Membership Director. He also served on the Lynnfield Housing Authority and Lynnfield Water District serving as a Commissioner and Treasurer for many years.
Harrigan proudly served in the Merchant Marines during the Vietnam War as a Third Assistant Engineer and was a U.S. Navy commissioned officer where he earned the rank of Lieutenant. After his service, he held positions as an Engineer with Stone and Webster Corporation and Air Control Equipment. Harrigan then went on to become an entrepreneur and owned several successful businesses. Later in life, he took a position with the Commonwealth of Massachusetts as a Project Manager with the Massachusetts Department of Corrections.
War Memorial Committee Chairman Joseph Connell said, “Jack was absolutely monumental in the planning, coordinating, and construction of the new war memorial. He dedicated countless hours of time and expertise to this project. Jack is the epitome of what it means to be a veteran. He was committed to his country and his community.”
Lynnfield’s Veterans Services Officer, Bruce Siegel, said, ”Jack was a very active member of the Lynnfield Veteran Community. He never let our town down. Every Veterans Day and Memorial Day he was always right there, participating, and looking for any way to help. I could always count on him.”
“John was instrumental in the committee’s success and his untimely death comes just as the new War Memorial was finally coming to fruition,” War Memorial Committee Secretary and Post 131 Commander Thomas Bogart said. “John contributed mightily to the planning, fundraising, and construction of the memorial. His stamp is all over it for eternity.”
In addition to his wife, Judy, he leaves behind three daughters, Kelly, Kimberly, and Jennifer as well as two grandchildren.
Funeral services were held on Wednesday, July 10. In lieu of flowers, the family is asking for donations to be made to the Lynnfield Veterans War memorial at https://unipaygold.unibank.com/transactioninfo.aspx.
