Gerard William McColgan

Gerard William, (Mac) McColgan died Saturday morning, October 3, 2015, in Colorado Springs, Colorado. He is survived by his wife of 45 years, Merrilee (Berg) McColgan. Together they welcomed into the world three children: Stacy McColgan Faherty, of Phoenix, AZ, Katie Bingham, wife of Brandon Bingham, of Cave Creek, AZ, and Patrick Gerard McColgan, husband of Amanda Paysinger McColgan, of Colorado Springs. Gerard was grandfather “Papa” to Andrew and Christopher Faherty and Britton Mac Bingham.

Gerard was born in Boston, Massachusetts on January 15, 1947 to the late William G. and Virginia (Janse) McColgan. He was the sixth of eight children. He is survived by a brother and four sisters: John T. McColgan, (Betty) of Avon Park, FL; Joan Bosley,(Ken) of Burlington, VT; Ann Healey, (Bill) of Roslindale, MA; Maryann Witkowski, (Robert) of Ellensburg, WA; and Patty DesRochers, (Bob) of Colorado Springs, CO. Gerard was predeceased by his brother James McColgan, (Della) and his sister Virginia Forgit (Gene)

Gerard graduated from Roslindale High School, MA in 1966. Upon graduation, he enlisted in the US Army at the height of the Vietnam Conflict. He served with courage and honor, earning two Purple Hearts - noble merits he never talked about. He received an Honorable Discharge at Ft. Carson, in Colorado Springs, CO and settled in this community where he completed 30 years of service with the C.S. Utilities Department.

Gerard was a loyal and devoted family man, brother, and uncle. His generous nature is legendary and his focus on the realities of life, paramount. He bravely fought a long battle with chronic illness and the complications of Agent Orange. But, that never interfered with his wit and humor - he “called a spade a spade” in his own unique way. He believed strongly in the value of family and never lost his love for all things Boston, especially the Red Sox and the New England Patriots.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Gerard’s name to the Wounded Warrior Project – restorewarriors.org.