Cyril "Cy" Corrigan
Cyril “Cy” Corrigan, age 87, of Decorah died Wednesday, November 5, 2014 at the Aase Haugen Nursing Home in Decorah. Mass of Christian Burial was held at St. Benedict Catholic Church in Decorah Monday, November 10, with Rev. Phillip Gibbs and Monsignor Edward Lechtenberg officiating. Burial with military graveside rites by the Decorah Veterans Group was at St. Benedict Catholic Cemetery, Decorah.
Cyril Francis Corrigan was born July 2, 1927, the fourth son of 11 born to James and Rose (McCormick) Corrigan in Harpers Ferry. He graduated from Harpers Ferry High School in 1945. He was drafted into the U.S. Army during WWII, serving from 1945-47. He and all of his ten brothers served in the service, except for one, who was unable to pass the physical. After the service, Cyril farmed and drove school bus for Waterville from 1947-53.
He was united in marriage to Jean Mathis June 15, 1953 at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Lansing. They moved to Decorah in 1953 and Cy worked for Sieg Auto Parts Store from 1953-66 and Munkel Construction from 1966-67. He started Corrigan Electric in 1967 and operated that until 1980, when he sold to Perry Novak. He continued to make deliveries for Perry, until he totally retired in 1990.
In 1975, they bought an old schoolhouse north of Decorah and totally remodeled it, and enjoyed spending time out there. Cy collected old cars, trucks and John Deere tractors over the years. He also enjoyed traveling with Jean to the Caribbean, Hawaii, and on their best trip, to Alaska. Cy loved and embraced his Irish heritage all of his life. He was a member of St. Benedict Catholic Church, the Knights of Columbus, the Elks Lodge for 58 years, and the Bernatz-Symonds American Legion Post #163.
Cy is survived by his wife of 61 years, Jean Corrigan of Decorah; five brothers, Gerald Corrigan of Dubuque, John (Lois) Corrigan, Robert (Peg) Corrigan and Rich (Elaine) Corrigan, all of Cedar Rapids, and Pat Corrigan of Decorah; his sisters-in-law, Fern Corrigan of Cedar Rapids, Dee Corrigan of Cedar Rapids, Jean Mathis of Waukon, Lorraine Bangs of Marshalltown and Helen Mathis of Waukon; along with several nieces, nephews, friends and neighbors.
Cy was preceded in death by his parents, James and Rose (McCormick) Corrigan; three premature sons, Joseph, Dennis and Patrick; five brothers, Charles (Eleanor) Corrigan, Wayne Corrigan, Jim “Doc” Corrigan, Mark Corrigan and Mike (Laverle) Corrigan; his sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law, Annie Corrigan, LaVonne Corrigan, Vince Mathis and William “Bill” Mathis; along with some nieces and nephews.
Casketbearers were Paul Nichols, Mike Sims, Marc Nichols, Perry Novak, Dale Lundy, Ed Rink, Todd Ihde and Dale Wilharm. Arrangements were handled by Schluter-Balik Funeral Home of Decorah.
