James Francis Kerrigan

Jim Kerrigan was born in Abington PA to Josephine and William Kerrigan. He graduated from Temple University in Philadelphia, where he met his wife Ellen. He received a Fulbright Scholarship to study Archaeology in Belfast, Northern Ireland for a year. He pursued a Masters Degree from the University of Pennsylvania before starting his lifelong career with various computer companies.

Jim was a true family man, devoted to his wife and 3 sons. They settled in Jenkintown PA where Jim served for 12 years on the Jenkintown School Board. It was his way of giving back to the community and enjoying the perk of handing his sons their diplomas at their graduation. He was a fabulous bread baker and nothing was better than waking to the aroma of home baked bread on a cold morning. Following his sons interests, he took up running and ran the Phila marathon and many Broad Street runs. He wasn’t the fastest but always finished every race, exactly how he lived his life, with patience, dedication, humor, grace and kindness.

When Jim retired to Bradenton he became a Master Gardener for Manatee County, a group he loved working with.

Jim treasured his family above all else. He is survived and terribly missed by his wife Ellen, sons Ian(Matt), Phillip, and Evan(Sally), granddaughter (Prue), brother Mike, sisters MaryJo, Kate(Jay), Sheila (Chris), brother in law Joe(Marcia) and nieces and nephews.

The same qualities Jim had in life he continued till his death. Jim donated his body to science in hopes that it might help others.

There will be a celebration of his life in Pennsylvania.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.palmsrobartsfuneralhome.com for the Kerrigan family.