Harold W. "Harry" Gilligan Jr.

1950 – 2020

SPRINGFIELD – Harold W. "Harry" Gilligan Jr., 69, died as a result of a car accident in Connecticut on the afternoon of Wednesday, February 26th.  Harry was born in Mt. Vernon, NY on April 12, 1950, the son of the late Harold and Viola (Mautone) Gilligan. He attended Albertus Magnus Parochial School in Rockland County, graduated from the University of Colorado 74' and received his Master's degree from Michigan State University 75'. He lived in Michigan for 6 years before moving to the Lone Star State to be the associate athletic director at Lamar University (Beaumont, TX) and then Pan American University (McAllen, TX).  He moved with his family to Wilbraham, MA in 1984 to pursue his dream of owning a professional basketball team, the Springfield Fame. Harry was an independent business consultant before starting Breakthrough Business Advisors, a business consulting firm that he ran until his passing. He was a member of the Springfield Country Club, the UMASS Court Club, the Chamber of Commerce and served as chairman of the board of the Western Mass Chapter of Junior Achievement. He was a huge sports enthusiast and avid golfer, with numerous tournament championships to his name along with a coveted double eagle.  Harry was an even bigger family man and enjoyed time with his children and grandchildren. He leaves his wife Sheila A. (Monahan) Gilligan; his two children Kelly Sadler and Chris Gilligan, their mother Lucinda Gilligan and their respective spouses Alan Sadler and Alina Gross; two stepchildren Leslie Trentalange and Justin Gorman and their respective spouses Jim Trentalange and Susan Gorman; two brothers Dr. Michael Gilligan and his wife Joanne and their children Kara and Krista, and James Gilligan. He also leaves his eight grandchildren Matisse, Patrick, Aviah, Talya, Perran, Mia, Zachary and Cora. Visiting hours will be held at the West Springfield Curran-Jones Funeral Home Friday, March 6 from 4:00 – 7:00pm. Family and friends are invited to meet at Sacred Heart Church, Springfield Street, Feeding Hills on Saturday, March 7th at 11:00am for the funeral service. Memorial contributions in Harry's name may be made to the Crudem Foundation, 362 Sewall Street, P.O. Box 804, Ludlow, MA 01056.  For more details please visit curranjones.com .