Gerald F. Corrigan '63, MBA '66

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“Such a gentleman.” “So well-read.” “Always challenging his mind.” “Charming and kind with that twinkle in his eye.”

These are just a few of the ways friends and family described Gerald Francis Corrigan '63, MBA '66, a cherished husband, father, grandfather, and longtime resident of Pacific Palisades and Montecito, who passed away peacefully at the age of 87 on May 26 in Santa Barbara, California. He spent his final days surrounded by his family, with the beautiful Southern California sunshine and ocean breeze nearby.

Born on April 16, 1937, in Dublin, Ireland, Corrigan was the seventh of nine children of Colonel Nicholas and Brigid (Donohoe) Corrigan. He attended St. Mary's College, where the halls still proudly display photos of the Corrigan boys' rugby teams. Corrigan's slightly crooked nose served as a testament to his youthful days in the scrum, and his father, whose military barracks stood adjacent to the college, could often be seen watching his sons' rugby practice from over the fence.

After a year in the seminary, Corrigan embarked on a journey to forge his own path. In 1959, he immigrated to Boston, Massachusetts, lucky to have a place to stay with his older brother, Maurice. There, a brochure for a sun-drenched college in the far west, adorned with palm trees, caught his eye. He applied and was accepted to UCLA, a decision that would shape the course of his life.

At UCLA, Corrigan flourished, becoming the first foreign-born student body president for the 1962-63 school year. A highlight was meeting President Eisenhower, who reminisced with Gerry about playing golf on a stormy course in Ireland. Corrigan forged lifelong friendships with faculty members and fraternity brothers at Theta Delta Chi. After earning his B.A. in 1963, he continued his studies at the UCLA School of Business, graduating with an MBA in 1966. He later returned to serve as assistant dean of the School of Business. A proud lifelong Bruin, Corrigan always enjoyed watching basketball and football games, especially when his team was winning.

It was also at UCLA that Corrigan met Virginia Tang, a beautiful UCLA undergraduate who had emigrated from Hong Kong. Although she was the one with the red convertible, Virginia couldn’t resist Corrigan’s twinkling blue eyes, and they married in 1966. They were married for 58 years, and enjoyed raising their two children in Pacific Palisades, and later retiring to the quiet beauty of Santa Barbara. The couple valued hard work, time spent with family and friends, occasional travel and surrounding themselves with a flourishing garden, pottering amongst the flowers and picking fruit from the trees.
Corrigan had a distinguished career as an executive recruiter with Korn Ferry and Russell Reynolds, and later operated his own business in Santa Monica. A longtime member of the Jonathan Club, he enjoyed meeting friends for the club’s famous sanddab dinners, and spending Fridays with the family feasting at the seafood buffet.

Corrigan always kept his Irish heritage close to heart. One of his most cherished memories was serving as the Irish Olympic Team attaché for the 1984 Los Angeles Summer Olympic Games. He proudly joined the Irish athletes marching into the L.A. Memorial Coliseum for the opening and closing ceremonies. Gerry also dedicated many years to serving on the Board of Directors of the University College Dublin (UCD) Business School. Corrigan was also honored to be a judge for the Rose of Tralee contest in Los Angeles for several years and, in 1990, was bestowed the Irishman of the Year award.

During retirement, Corrigan continued to share his passion for knowledge with the Santa Barbara community through Vistas Lifelong Learning, where he spent hours researching, writing presentations, and attending lectures. One of his favorites focused on William Mulholland and the Los Angeles aqueduct, which he presented in 2022. He also taught economics at Santa Barbara City College and demonstrated his heartfelt sense of civic duty as an arbitrator for the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA).

In his later years, after spending sunny afternoons watching his grandchildren bike around the neighborhood Monkey Tree, Gerry found solace sitting outside at dusk, enjoying a glass of red wine, and contemplating the world and its mysteries. Corrigan’s evening would end with him quietly sitting in his well worn Eames chair with a book in hand, a memory his loved ones will forever hold close to their hearts. His insatiable thirst for knowledge and relentless pursuit of understanding serves as a profound legacy that will continue to inspire and guide his family.

Corrigan is survived by his beloved wife, Virginia; his children, Peter Corrigan and Elizabeth Branham; their spouses, Karen Bergan and Eryc Branham; his cherished grandchildren, Sophie Branham, Aedan Corrigan, Jocelyn Branham and Connor Branham; as well as his wonderful cousins, nieces and nephews. He was so very proud of his family, and his Irish eyes will continue smiling upon them. In lieu of flowers, Corrigan’s family kindly requests donations be made to a charity of one’s choosing.

Corrigan’s family expressed the wish, “Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dh ílis,” Irish for “may his holy soul be on the right side of God.”