Obituary of Robert John Harrigan

ROBERT JOHN HARRIGAN Jan. 22, 1941 ~ Sept. 21, 2016 On Wednesday, September 21, 2016, Robert John Harrigan, with family by his side, passed away peacefully. The youngest of 12 children born in 1941, son of James and Gertrude Harrigan, Robert grew up in the City of Niagara Falls, New York. He was naturally athletic and earned the nickname "Lynx", like the fast mountain cat, that stayed with him throughout his life and now goes to heaven with him. As a teenage Irish lad in the 1950's, he would learn to be a bricklayer having been taught by great mentors who became lifelong friends. He was proud of being a member of the Bricklayers & Allied Craftsman Union Local #3 in Buffalo. Many of the buildings that stand in Western New York he helped build, too many to name here, but include the Convention Center, Power Project, Fatima Shrine, and St. Peter's RC Church that he attended each Sunday. In 1962 he married Geraldine Syracuse and they would have three children that they raised in Lewiston, NY. He is survived by his wife; children, Cindy (William III) Berard, Mark (Francesca) Harrigan, and Dr. Paul Harrigan; his grandchildren, Rachel, Geri Lynn, Anne, and William IV Berard, Kayleigh and Emily Harrigan; his siblings, Edward (Julie) Harrigan, Francis (late Louise) Harrigan, Maryann (James) Ivey; brother in law Fred Metro; sister in law, Maxine (James) Casey; and several nieces and nephews. Robert was predeceased by sisters, Patricia Eames, Eleaner Tickett, and Janet Metro; brothers, Michael, James, Thomas, David, and George Harrigan; his parents, James and Gertrude Harrigan. He will always be remembered as a good, decent, hardworking and honorable man; a man who loved his family and an avid golfer. He will be missed by all who knew him. Friends may call at HARDISON FUNERAL HOME, N. Fourth & Ridge Sts., Lewiston on Monday, September 26, from 4 to 8 pm. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Tuesday, September 27, at 9:30 am in St. Peter RC Church, 600 Center St., Lewiston with the Rev. Msgr. David G. LiPuma officiating. (Please assemble at Church.) Burial will follow in Gate of Heaven Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Peter RC Church Capital Campaign for the improvement of church and school.