William “Bill” Louis Kerrigan

Born in Leadville, Colorado to his parents Thomas and Sarah Kerrigan, Bill was the fourth of eight children. He has joined his parents and his brothers Thomas, Jackie, Ed, and Jim in heaven. Our beloved, wild Irishman Dad developed his penchant for automobiles and driving as a lad. He and his brother, Ed, were the young local grocery delivery boys for their dad’s enterprise, the John King Mercantile Co. Bill’s profound faith journey started as a lively student at St. Mary’s Catholic School. Bill graduated from Leadville High School in 1950; Regis College, Denver in 1954; and served in the US Army (1954-1956) in the Mountain Cold Weather Training Command, stationed at Camp Hale, CO. Bill married Evelyn Sue Ravaux, his lovely wife of 62 years, in Hartford City, Indiana on June 6, 1958. These newlyweds settled first at Climax, CO. In Leadville, Bill taught English at the high school and Sue practiced nursing. They started a family in 1960, bought their house from the Climax Molybdenum Co. and moved that house into Leadville in 1961. Bill and Sue flourished, raising five children. Bill served as the principal of Lake County High School from 1961-1972. He received his Doctor of Education, University of Colorado in 1975; he served as Assistant Superintendent of Lake County Schools 1972-77; then as Superintendent 1978-1987. As Superintendent, Bill succeeded his Aunt Beth Cavanaugh who served in this same role some twenty years earlier. During his tenure as superintendent, Bill garnered the community’s support to fund and construct the intermediate school in Leadville, which included a state-of-the-art community recreation facility. Bill also ushered the school system through the economic collapse of Climax Mine in the early 1980’s. In addition to Bill’s leadership as an educator, he served his community as a member of the Elks, the Lions, the Knights of Columbus, Lake County Search and Rescue, and various Boom Days’ committees. During retirement Bill and Sue moved to Lakewood, CO where Bill continued to consult educational professionals, serve on boards for scholarship committees and sit on the board of a Leadville bank. One of his truest joys during his retirement was volunteering at the sandwich line for The Church of St. Elizabeth of Hungary’s parish in downtown Denver for the past 30 years. Bill was an avid golfer, an enthusiastic car restorer, a fantastic powder skier, a keen philosopher, a captivating storyteller and all-round terrific companion to his wide circle of friends and family. All who knew Bill loved him, and he loved them. Most of all, Bill was a devout husband with a strong Catholic faith in God and attended daily mass. Bill is survived by his wife Sue, brother Rev. Michael Kerrigan (Lakewood, CO), sisters Sr. Mary Ellen Kerrigan (Maryknoll, NY) and Noreen Kerrigan-Cadieux (Gus) (Albany, NY), his five children Mike (Grand Junction, CO), Kerry, Susan (Steamboat, CO), Sean (Anne) (Eagle, CO), Marty Kerrigan-Mazzotta (Joe) (Glenwood Springs, CO), five grandchildren Casey (Bozeman, MT), Ben, William Kerrigan (Grand Junction, CO), Megan, Liam Mazzotta (Glenwood Springs, CO) numerous nephews, nieces, grand-nephews/nieces, and a few remaining very cherished friends. Bill’s high school senior class motto was “Walk through the rocks, be rugged.” He lived up to this motto to the very end. Rosary, 7:00 PM, Friday, January 24, 2020 at Notre Dame Catholic Church. 2190 S. Sheridan Blvd. Denver, CO 80219 Funeral Mass, 10:00 AM, Saturday, January 25, 2020 at Church of St. Elizabeth of Hungary 1060 St. Francis Way, Denver, CO 80204 Interment to follow at St. Joseph Cemetery In Lieu of flowers, you may make a donation in memory of Bill Kerrigan to the following: -Holy Family Parish of Leadville, 609 Poplar St., Leadville, CO 80461 http://holyfamilyleadville.com/ Donate -Church of St. Elizabeth of Hungary 1060 St. Francis Way, Denver, CO 80204 http://stelizabethdenver.org/outreach/ Sandwich Line