Joseph Michael Gilligan

Gilligan, Joseph Michael, 77, of Mesa, Arizona, passed away in the early morning hours on Tuesday August 13, 2013. There will be a Celebration of Life Ceremony at 3:00pm on Saturday August 17th at Mariposa Gardens Memorial Park (www.MariposaGardens.com Office # 480-830-4422) at The Garden Chapel on site. Funeral arrangements are being handled by Mariposa Gardens Memorial Park & Funeral Care. Joe will be buried in Arlington National Cemetery at a date to be determined. Joe, often called Bud by his Family and Friends, was born in Orange, New Jersey on February 7, 1936. He graduated from Our Lady of the Valley High School and received a full academic scholarship to Seton Hall University where he graduated with a BA in English. Joe was married to Eleanor K. Gilligan (Dunham) on September 20, 1958. They were married for 55 years. Joe served in the US Army for 21 years before retiring as a Lieutenant Colonel. He had a number of overseas duty assignments to include tours in Korea and Vietnam. He was a decorated soldier having been awarded numerous commendations to include the Parachutist Badge and Bronze Star. While serving on Active Duty, Joe furthered his education graduating with two Masters Degrees from George Washington University and Central Michigan University respectively. Joe retired from the US Army in 1983. His second career included positions as the Director of Safety and Security at Albert Einstein Medical Center, and later, Graduate Hospital in Philadelphia, PA. His third career as a Realtor began in Pennsylvania and continued when he and his wife Eleanor moved to Mesa, AZ in 1998. Joe was gifted with the written word and public speaking having the ability to connect with all people. He enjoyed reading, watching sports, and spending time with his Family. Joe was an A rated Racquetball player, a fierce competitor on the court. Joe is survived by his wife Eleanor and their three children, Colleen Eckles, Kelly Boyle, Chris Gilligan and the Grand Children Ryan, Mary Kate and Matthew Eckles, Jared Boyle, Michael and Alexis Gilligan and Gabriel and Gianna Hurtado. Joe is preceded in death by his parents, Thomas Gilligan and Anne Gilligan (Harrocks). In lieu of flowers, please send donations to APDA (American Parkinson Disease Association) www.apdaparkinson.org in memory of Joseph M Gilligan. Please visit www.mariposagardens.com to leave condolences.