James Joseph Kerrigan Jr. ’45

Jim died Dec. 21, 2005.

Jim was a stalwart leader of the class in the Naples, Fla., area. He prepared for Princeton at Canterbury, preceding his brother, Richard '49. Jim was active in his accelerated Princeton career, receiving an SPIA degree in 1944 before leaving for service as a Marine company commander. He saw combat in Guam and Okinawa, and finally in Beijing during the occupation of north China.

A member of Colonial Club, he rowed on the 150-pound crew and wrote for the Daily Princetonian and Tiger magazine.

After entering Harvard Law School, from which he graduated in 1949, he married Margaret Merkle, and he and Mimi entered into a very strong marriage. After a few years in private practice, interrupted by recall for service during the Korean conflict, he joined Inmont Corp. in 1954, retiring in 1981 as vice president for finance and law. Jim and Mimi spent winters in Naples and eventually retired there.

In addition to Mimi, Jim is survived by daughters Joan Kerrigan Smith and Sheila Kerrigan, and two grandchildren. The class expresses its sympathy to all on the loss of this valued classmate.

The Class of 1945