John “Jack” Harrigan, M.D., age 88, passed away on February 11th at his home after a short illness. He was surrounded by his loving wife and family. Born in Carteret, NJ, to Mary (nee Czap) and John Harrigan Sr., Jack resided in Westfield, NJ, before moving to Spring Lake in 1993.
Jack attended St. Joseph’s Elementary School and Carteret High School in New Jersey and attended college at the University of Virginia. He earned an M.D. from George Washington School of Medicine in 1953, and did his residency and fellowship at Harvard in Boston. Dr. Harrigan served as a captain in the Korean War, stationed in Japan at Tokyo Hospital and finished his service at Fort Dix, NJ, before receiving an honorary discharge in 1956.
Dr. Harrigan then returned to New Jersey and became an Assistant Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Seton Hall Medical School in 1960. From there he became an Assistant Professor at New Jersey Medical School in 1973, and in 1974, an Associate Professor at Hahnemann Medical. In 1978, Dr. Harrigan was appointed full professor at UMDNJ Robert Wood Johnson Medical School. In 1992, he became Director of Maternal Fetal Medicine at Jersey Shore Medical Center, the same title he held previously at UMDNJ Robert Wood Medical School. Dr. Harrigan was one of the first board certified Perinatologists in the country.
Among Jack’s many accomplishments was his appointment by Governor Kean to the Council on the Prevention of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities. In 1982, he was elected Chairman of the New Jersey Section of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologist (ACOG). He served as District III Treasurer of ACOG from 1986-1992. In 1997, Jack was appointed to the council on Resident Education in Obstetrics and Gynecology.
In addition to his extraordinary accomplishments, Jack was known for his perpetually kind smile and gentle manner, and he will be greatly missed by the people whose lives he touched. His deep spirituality and his commitment to personal growth led him to have many interests, most importantly the interconnected roles of spirituality and health. He was well liked and very respected by his colleagues. Specializing in high-risk pregnancies, Dr. Harrigan’s patients often mentioned his calm professionalism and ability to put them at ease. He helped bring many babies, across many generations, safely into the world.
Jack was predeceased by his parents, Mary (nee Czap) and John Harrigan of Carteret, and his wife Karen Tietjen Harrigan of Spring Lake. He is survived by his wife Barbara Kolarsick-Harrigan of Spring Lake, his daughter Alisa Harrigan, M.D., of Boston, sons John Harrigan III, M.D., of Spring Lake and Point Pleasant Beach, spouse Pritinder Thind, M.D., and Edmund Harrigan of Atlantic City; his step-children Bethany Howell of Piscataway, Justin Kazmark of Brooklyn, and Lindsey Kretschy of Medford Lakes (spouses Michael Howell, Heather Kazmark, Kevin Kretschy); step-children Jennifer Kolarsick of New Brunswick, Albert John Kolarsick of Denver, Timothy Kolarsick of Schneisingen, Switzerland, Laura McManaman of Ft. Collins, Colorado (spouses Jim Handy, Juanita Kolarsick, Katrin Kolarsick, Jamie McManaman); five grandchildren, Abi and Asa Kohn, Grace, Katie, and Alexandra Harrigan; and eleven step-grandchildren.
Visiting will be Friday from 2-4 & 7-9 PM at the O’Brien Funeral Home, 2028 Hwy 35 at New Bedford Rd. Wall. A Funeral Mass will be Saturday, 10:30 AM at St. Catharine Church, Spring Lake, followed by burial in St. Anne Cemetery, Wall. In lieu of flowers please make a donation to a charity of your choice.