Jim Hanigan Memorial Fund
Donation protected
Jim Hanigan, the man who needed not one, but two hearts, and who profoundly touched and influenced generations of people, died Thursday, January 13, 2022. He was 55. To honor his legacy, we are asking that you support his family to find their financial footing during a very difficult time.
Jim died in Fairfield, OH, from cardiac arrest, shutting down his last and best organ to survive his chronic and complex illnesses. He is survived by his wife Lisa Hanigan, whom he married in 1999, and his children Kate Hanigan and Jack Hanigan.
Jim only measured success by the quality of his relationships with his wife, his children, his father Dan Hanigan, his mother Joan Hanigan, and his sisters - Mary Hallman, Cathy Salovich, Jennifer Hanigan and Carolyn Hanigan. His love for family extended well beyond to his godmother, LaGene Webb and the entire John Carlisle and Kathleen Hanigan family tree. And with nieces, nephews, godsons, and friends children, his love was unwavering. His investment in friendships spanned far and wide, but at the core was his childhood buddies and fraternity brothers. Even with all his own health issues dating back to the age of 16, no person so radically expanded his love and influence.
Jim's trademarks were a evenness of surprising emotional calm and patience; unconditional love and friendship; and humor that was witty, yet conversational, always delivered in a manner that made to feel Jim was seated next to you. Known for his larger than life warmth, packaged in a smaller and smaller body, he embodied more strength than the greatest athletes of all time.
His real legacy is his love and influence.
After battling and surviving Hodgkins Disease his sophomore year at Hart High School, Jim attended UC Santa Barbara and start his second chance at life. His network of lifelong friends would be in great number, but the core would be within the SAE Fantasy Football league, of which he was the Commissioner.
After battling Heart Disease with a temporary solution, the LVAD, in 2011, Jim would embark on a cross-country trip to celebrate his third chance at life. The first big stop was the Hanigan Family Reunion on Lake Okoboji in Iowa. Other big stops were Mt Rushmore, Yellowstone, Las Vegas, Hoover Dam, and the Grand Canyon. Jim visited hundreds of people on this trip reuniting family circles of the Hanigans, Browns, Webbs and Reiersons. And hundreds more reuniting with family and friendship circles in Valencia, the Bay Area, Cayucos, Hope Ranch, Carlsbad, and Venice Beach.
But the temporary solution would not sustain. In July 2012, a staph infection would begin to move up the drive line of the LVAD heading toward his heart. And Jim ever so patiently waited and received a heart transplant March 8, 2013, marking his fourth chance at life.
In the 9 years that followed, Jim was all heart. One by one organs were removed - gall bladder, kidney, spleen, thyroid. Pain would exacerbate - headaches, neck pain, back pain, and neuropathy of the feet. And scar tissue would spread ultimately compressing and choking his intestines. And through all of this, he would nourish his relationships over phone calls, take few trips to see family and friends, work from home to support his family and never, never complain.
The final week of his life, Jim said "I love you" over and over again to his wife Lisa; watched a final movie with Jack; heard his final update from Kate of the days events; played Minecraft one last time with his namesake James; celebrated his final "Soul Train" fantasy football win with Brad; plotted a trip down Baja with his father Dan; called to say goodbye to his his mother Joan and father Dan and each of his sisters Mary, Cathy, and Jennifer. In his final hours, he whispered to me, his sister Carolyn, "green light, I see the green light" and I held him in my arms, not breathing, rocking him like a baby.
If you are hurting, if you know someone is hurting....help them with their pain, invest your love and influence.
If Jim taught us anything, it is that there is beauty behind every turn. His fifth turn was the gates of heaven. What a view.
Jim died in Fairfield, OH, from cardiac arrest, shutting down his last and best organ to survive his chronic and complex illnesses. He is survived by his wife Lisa Hanigan, whom he married in 1999, and his children Kate Hanigan and Jack Hanigan.
Jim only measured success by the quality of his relationships with his wife, his children, his father Dan Hanigan, his mother Joan Hanigan, and his sisters - Mary Hallman, Cathy Salovich, Jennifer Hanigan and Carolyn Hanigan. His love for family extended well beyond to his godmother, LaGene Webb and the entire John Carlisle and Kathleen Hanigan family tree. And with nieces, nephews, godsons, and friends children, his love was unwavering. His investment in friendships spanned far and wide, but at the core was his childhood buddies and fraternity brothers. Even with all his own health issues dating back to the age of 16, no person so radically expanded his love and influence.
Jim's trademarks were a evenness of surprising emotional calm and patience; unconditional love and friendship; and humor that was witty, yet conversational, always delivered in a manner that made to feel Jim was seated next to you. Known for his larger than life warmth, packaged in a smaller and smaller body, he embodied more strength than the greatest athletes of all time.
His real legacy is his love and influence.
After battling and surviving Hodgkins Disease his sophomore year at Hart High School, Jim attended UC Santa Barbara and start his second chance at life. His network of lifelong friends would be in great number, but the core would be within the SAE Fantasy Football league, of which he was the Commissioner.
After battling Heart Disease with a temporary solution, the LVAD, in 2011, Jim would embark on a cross-country trip to celebrate his third chance at life. The first big stop was the Hanigan Family Reunion on Lake Okoboji in Iowa. Other big stops were Mt Rushmore, Yellowstone, Las Vegas, Hoover Dam, and the Grand Canyon. Jim visited hundreds of people on this trip reuniting family circles of the Hanigans, Browns, Webbs and Reiersons. And hundreds more reuniting with family and friendship circles in Valencia, the Bay Area, Cayucos, Hope Ranch, Carlsbad, and Venice Beach.
But the temporary solution would not sustain. In July 2012, a staph infection would begin to move up the drive line of the LVAD heading toward his heart. And Jim ever so patiently waited and received a heart transplant March 8, 2013, marking his fourth chance at life.
In the 9 years that followed, Jim was all heart. One by one organs were removed - gall bladder, kidney, spleen, thyroid. Pain would exacerbate - headaches, neck pain, back pain, and neuropathy of the feet. And scar tissue would spread ultimately compressing and choking his intestines. And through all of this, he would nourish his relationships over phone calls, take few trips to see family and friends, work from home to support his family and never, never complain.
The final week of his life, Jim said "I love you" over and over again to his wife Lisa; watched a final movie with Jack; heard his final update from Kate of the days events; played Minecraft one last time with his namesake James; celebrated his final "Soul Train" fantasy football win with Brad; plotted a trip down Baja with his father Dan; called to say goodbye to his his mother Joan and father Dan and each of his sisters Mary, Cathy, and Jennifer. In his final hours, he whispered to me, his sister Carolyn, "green light, I see the green light" and I held him in my arms, not breathing, rocking him like a baby.
If you are hurting, if you know someone is hurting....help them with their pain, invest your love and influence.
If Jim taught us anything, it is that there is beauty behind every turn. His fifth turn was the gates of heaven. What a view.
Organizer and beneficiary
Bradley Silcox
Organizer
Fairfield, OH
Lisa Hanigan
Beneficiary