In Memoriam: James R. 'Goose' Gilligan

From Hoyt Funeral Home.

James Richard Gilligan, 68, of Westport, passed away quietly on Dec. 16, 2015 after a lengthy illness.

Richard was born in Keene, NH on September 13, 1947, son of the late James Lynapp and Pauline (Schorer) Gilligan.

A long-time resident of New Canaan and graduate of New Canaan High School Class of ‘65 and Bentley College, Class of 1969, Richard was known affectionately as “Goose” to all his friends. He was a long-time employee of the New Canaan Post Office, had a lifelong love of sports, and was a member of many local bowling and horse shoe leagues over the years.

Richard is survived by a daughter Deborah Gilligan of Stamford; a brother, Stephen and his wife Mary of Milton, MA and a sister Bonnie Kniceley and her husband Clark of Greenville, RI.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Friday Dec. 18, at 1 PM at St. Aloysius Church, 21 Cherry St., New Canaan. Burial will follow at Lakeview Cemetery. Family and friends may gather at the funeral home at noon.

In lieu of flowers donations made be made in Richard’s name to The Guillian-Barre Foundation - https://www.gbs-cidp.org/donate/

For directions and online condolences, please visit www.hoytfuneralhome.com.