Obituary of Richard Halligan

HALLIGAN, RICHARD DAVIS, on February 4, 2009 in Chestnut Hill Hospital. Son of the late Mabel Jean (nee Davis) and Burdette Joseph Halligan, he was born in East Orange, NJ on May 30, 1917. He grew up in West Orange, NJ where he attained the rank of Eagle Scout and played violin in the New Jersey State Orchestra in high school. He was a 1939 graduate of Lehigh University with a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry and attained a Master''s Degree in 1943 from the University of Vermont College of Agriculture. Mr. Halligan worked as a research chemist in the rubber industry.

He married Norma Priscilla Phillips on February 20, 1954 in Springfield, MA. He raised his family in Needham, MA and moved to Blue Bell, PA in 1968. He was interested in genealogy, local history and preserving both his family''s heritage and that of his community. He loved Shelburne Falls, MA where his family had roots and enjoyed many outdoor activities in the New England Area. He was a member of the Whitpain Historical Society and Shade Tree Committee, the Covered Bridge Society and volunteered for the Montgomery County SPCA. He loved animals and showed special concern for those without homes. He rescued many dogs and cats, including his current dog, Tess.

In addition to his wife, he is survived by his daughters, Andrea Scott (Gary Philip) Ottey of Plymouth Meeting, PA and Sharon Lynn (James William) Prior of Telford. Also survived by his grandchildren, Lindsay Ann Prior, Megan Rebecca Ottey, Michael Gary Ottey and Christopher Philip Ottey. He was preceded in death by his brother Robert Rawson Halligan, granddaughter Amy Ann Prior and nephew James Halligan.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Montgomery County SPCA 19 E. Ridge Pike P.O. Box 222 Conshohocken, PA 19428-0222 or Wills Eye Institute Retinal Cell/Retinitis Pigmentosa Research Foundation c/o Dr. Gary Brown 840 Walnut St. Suite 1530 Philadelphia, PA 19107.