Daniel R. Corrigan
Sep 9th, 2024
Daniel Robert Corrigan, 78, died peacefully on September 9, 2024, surrounded by his loving family after a courageous struggle with Lewy Body Dementia. Daniel was born July 27,1946, to Thomas Joseph Corrigan and Mary Nickerson Corrigan of Chatham. He was the third child of eleven children.
He leaves behind his wife of 49 years, Amy Corrigan of Harwich; his daughter Ruby Anastasio and her husband Paul of Brewster; his son Luther Corrigan and his wife Jackie of Brewster; and his daughter Emily Hill and her husband Mike of Harwich. It was with great sadness that he lost his eldest daughter Sophie Corrigan of Harwich in 2010. He cherished his family deeply.
Through these children, Daniel was blessed with 10 grandchildren; Keenan Schleicher, Jackson Schleicher, Maya Anastasio, Asher Anastasio, Gabriel Watkins Corrigan, Fiona Watkins Corrigan, Olive Corrigan, Amelia Corrigan, Annabel Hill and Rosie Hill. Daniel was so happy when he was with his grandchildren. His playful goofiness held their attention and kept them coming back for more.
Daniel also had one child with his first wife Jeanne; the late Terri Luana DaSilva of Dartmouth, MA., and one granddaughter Marisa DaSilva of Dartmouth, MA. It was with sadness in his heart that he did not share much time with these young women. His heart was full of love for them.
He leaves behind his treasured surviving siblings and their spouses; Michael and Helen Corrigan of Wilmington; Margaret and Stuart Moore of Maine; Marjorie and William Montague of Holden; Mary and David Agnew of Harwich; Paul and Lois Corrigan of N.C.; Kevin and Gail Corrigan of Argentina; and Anne Corrigan of Harwich. His late siblings included Tommy Corrigan of Wisconsin, Earl Corrigan of Truro, and Jimmy Corrigan of San Francisco, CA.
Daniel grew up in Chatham, attended Chatham schools, and then served in the US Navy for 4 years. His career was in the computer field including, sales, support, and working with disabled individuals providing computer support and education,. He also wrote a book called “The Internet University” about taking computer courses on-line before it was “a thing”.
Daniel was very passionate about trees. He learned all he could about the native trees of Cape Cod. He sought out ways to help restore these native species to the area, and became a Johnny Appleseed in his own right. He bought bare-root seedlings of these native tree species, and propagated paw-paw trees and butternut trees from seed in his own small tree nursery.
He was also a soil wizard, constantly getting truckloads of manure, compost, seaweed, and giant bales of straw that were way too big for his tiny Tacoma. He developed a unique 34” tall raised garden bed design he called “Hugels” using logs, brush, soil, and corrugated steel. He made many of these beautiful raised beds for members of his family.
Special thanks to his nephew, Jake Agnew, who loved him and helped him continue with his many projects for as long as possible, and to Molly and Priscilla who gave him love and support through his final months at home.
Donations may be made to the Alzheimer’s Family Support Center of Cape Cod, in his memory.
A celebration of life will be held at the First Parish Brewster Unitarian Universalist Church, 1969 Main St, Brewster, MA 02631, on November 16, 2024 at 2 pm, reception to follow. Whoa! Pass the gravy…