Rev. Michael Corrigan

The Reverend Michael Corrigan of Colrain MA, died unexpectedly of a heart attack on Feb
1st at the age of 80. Born in Baltimore MD to Bishop Daniel and Elizabeth Corrigan, he grew
up in St. Paul, MN, Denver, CO and New York City.
Informed by his parents’ dedicated works of civil disobedience and gender equality in the
Episcopal Church, Michael spent his early adult years at Columbia University, there he
protested the Vietnam war, served on the Strike Coordinating Committee during the
historic, student-led University shutdown of 1968, and volunteered at St. Stephen and the
Incarnation in Washington DC.
Fortified by these experiences, Michael sought a career in the ministry. He graduated from
the Episcopal Theological School in Cambridge, MA and was ordained by Bishop Paul
Moore at the Cathedral of St. John the Divine in New York City. He served first as curate at
the Church of the Holy Spirit in Lake Forest, IL and shortly thereafter became rector at
Church of the Good Shepherd in Granite Spring, NY.
Michael then moved to the Boston area where he served first as chaplain at
Boston University, then as rector at St. John’s Church in Westwood, MA, and finally as
rector at Church of Our Savior in Brookline, MA, where he faithfully and tirelessly served
for 17 years. Michael’s vision for Church of Our Savior was that of a thriving, multigenerational
community, built on a dedication to the Gospel, Christian intellectualism,
education, and acts of service and kindness. The lives and families he touched during his
ministry there will always be a part of the church’s legacy.
Upon his retirement from Church of Our Savior, Michael was appointed chaplain at the
Northfield Mount Hermon School in Gill, MA. Drawing from the deep love he had for his
own boarding school experience, he enthusiastically taught, coached, mentored, and
ministered both teacher and student alike, reinvigorating the church’s role in the
community of NMH.
Michael served as a trustee for his beloved alma mater the South Kent School
as well as Hebron Academy. In 2001, Michael provided counseling and spiritual guidance
to survivors and responders at Ground Zero in the aftermath of 9/11. In his retirement, he
was an active member of St. John’s Church in Ashfield, MA, where he was assistant
treasurer and served on the liturgy and mission committees. He also traveled widely,
from Machu Picchu to Rome, sang in the Greenfield Community College Chorus, relished
his daily runs and was an avid Boston University hockey fan.
Michael Corrigan was a remarkable and giving father, husband, partner, friend, confidant,
and healer. His compassion, warmth, and infectious humor is deeply loved and missed.
Michael is survived by his adored partner, Nancy Boyd; his children; Nell Waters, Sam,
James, and Patrick Corrigan; and grandchildren; Max, Luke, and Logan Bernegger, Sienna,
Fiona, and Celine Corrigan; he is also survived by his daughters-in-law; Alexandra Pirozzi
and Julia Corrigan; loved co-parent Sylvia Robinson Corrigan, mother of Nell and Sam and
his many beloved nieces and nephews. Michael is predeceased by his loving and devoted
wife of 35 years and parent of James and Patrick, Patricia Corrigan; his brothers, David,
Robert, Daniel, Patrick, and John Corrigan, as well as his parents Bishop Daniel and
Elizabeth Corrigan. A funeral service will be held on March 28th, at 10:00 AM at Grace
Church in Amherst, MA. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. John’s Church in
Ashfield, MA.

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