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Fmr Ag. Director of Youth Affairs & Sports Patrick O. Harrigan has died

Word reaching our news Centre is that former Ag. Director of Youth Affairs and Sports Patrick O. Harrigan died on Wednesday, February 8, 2023 at the age of 65. Photo: VINO/File
Mr. Harrigan, born February 15, 1957, is remembered as a family man and is best known for his involvement and contribution to sports and youth development at the department. Photo: Internet Source
Mr. Harrigan, born February 15, 1957, is remembered as a family man and is best known for his involvement and contribution to sports and youth development at the department. Photo: Internet Source
SLANEY, Tortola, VI - Word reaching our news Centre is that former Acting Director of Youth Affairs and Sports, Patrick O. Harrigan died on Wednesday, February 8, 2023, at the age of 65.

Mr Harrigan, born February 15, 1957, is remembered as a family man and is best known for his involvement and contribution to sports and youth development.

He played many sports, including basketball, volleyball, and cricket, and was involved in all aspects of track and field.

Acting Director

The now deceased started in the public service in 1974 as a school teacher and rose to the rank of Acting Director of the Youth Affairs and Sports Department. He started pre-retirement leave from the service on October 1, 2014. 

He was also the founder of the Grasshoppers Skipping Rope team as they toured and competed locally, regionally, and internationally. 

The late Harrigan is survived by 2 children (one son and one daughter) and had a third son who died a few years ago.

Harrigan’s talents were also extended to regional and international track and field meets where, for example, he was a starter for the CARIFTA games.

He believed in youths and was passionate about his country as his late mother Lue Harrigan was an activist and is long remembered for her role in the Positive Action Movement.  

The Management and Staff of Virgin Islands News Online (VINO) extend condolences to the family and other loved ones of the late Patrick O. Harrigan.

34 Responses to “Fmr Ag. Director of Youth Affairs & Sports Patrick O. Harrigan has died”

  • Fam (09/02/2023, 18:24) Like (17) Dislike (0) Reply
    Rip brother
  • Former Colleague (09/02/2023, 18:24) Like (22) Dislike (0) Reply
    My condolences to the family and the sporting community. Mr Harrigan was a well loved comrade. Every sports day he was there ready with pistol to start the races. I cannot remember a sports day prior to his retirement without Patrick being there. The BVI has lost another sporting icon. Rest in peace colleague. You have finished the race!!"????????
  • Youth (09/02/2023, 18:28) Like (15) Dislike (1) Reply
    Rest on coach
  • After dark horseman Leroy (09/02/2023, 18:42) Like (13) Dislike (0) Reply
    Good night coach we got ng miss u rest easy
  • coach (09/02/2023, 18:49) Like (14) Dislike (1) Reply
    Rip Mr Harrigan
  • FireFighter (09/02/2023, 19:06) Like (14) Dislike (0) Reply
    RIP MR. Harrigan. He was a very great man. Condolences to his entire family.
  • Andrew Cox Sr (09/02/2023, 19:19) Like (18) Dislike (0) Reply
    condolences to the entire family and patrick memories will live on
  • grasshopper (09/02/2023, 19:20) Like (11) Dislike (0) Reply
    RIP MR. HARRIGAN!!!!
  • Tasty (09/02/2023, 19:28) Like (9) Dislike (0) Reply
    Very pleasant man - sorry to hear that he died so young.
  • Really (09/02/2023, 19:42) Like (14) Dislike (32) Reply
    Is this another Case of sudden death? Everyone is complaining about how many people especially the young athletes just dropping dead of sudden death especially the rare disease that Keisha has which is not rare when thousands of people died from it just last year and this year. I am amazed with the lack of knowledge people have. You can see through the fakery. I can see how they are forcing people to keep getting drugged up shot 5 like really. This is so much and the poor babies are getting so many new vaccine and I am sure the parents won't ask why do you kids need chemicals and aborted fetus injected into them. Protect your kids from these mRNA technology which is all vaccines
    • @Really (10/02/2023, 02:07) Like (36) Dislike (0) Reply
      Mr. Harrigan, God rest his Soul, was a diabetic and ailing for many years with a bad foot that required weekly dressing. We often ran into each other at the hospital Road Town clinic where he went for treatment. Always had a nice brief greeting with his pleasant self. Leave your need to target the vaccine out of his illness. You’re barking up the wrong tree.
    • @Really (10/02/2023, 07:54) Like (17) Dislike (3) Reply
      Mr Harrigan has been battling illness for a while. Stop pushing your idiotic rhetoric that you know nothing about. If you went through a Caribbean school system you have the same vaccines so do everyone a favor and go live under a rock.
  • asura (09/02/2023, 19:45) Like (5) Dislike (1) Reply
    REST IN POWER UNTIL WE MEET AGAIN
  • Rest Well Papi (09/02/2023, 19:59) Like (25) Dislike (7) Reply
    On behalf of the Asociación Burdel de Dominicanos, we would like to express our condolences to one of our best clientele from BVI. You will be missed. Your friends in the DR.
  • Lord have mercy (09/02/2023, 20:21) Like (31) Dislike (2) Reply
    After all those years of hard work and sacrifice he didn't live to enjoy not even one yr of his social security money...65 is too old for social security...Drop it to the age of 63. Too many people not living to enjoy their retirement benefits after slaving for this country....
    • unknown (10/02/2023, 06:52) Like (7) Dislike (1) Reply
      I said the same when I saw his age. They were smart to increase the age from 60years to 65years and they honestly know why they did it. It is unfair that he wasn't able to atleast spend some of his hard earned social security money.
    • concerned citizen (10/02/2023, 17:16) Like (17) Dislike (0) Reply
      I concur...however 63 would also be an unrealistic age to start enjoying your retirement considering life expectancy which has been dropping yearly at an alarmingly increasing rate.

      Why not introduce retirement options where one can choose to retire at different age intervals after their 500 contributions have been met without fault?

      For instance 3 categories of retirement: (bare with me as I am not now nor have I ever been knowledgeable of the inner workings of our SSB)

      Cat 1: 45-50 Silver Retirement which enables an individual to enjoy contributions of an agreed upon amount by the board and themselves, taking into consideration the value of their contributions over the years worked.

      Cat 2; 50-55 Gold Retirement same afore mentioned just begining at a later date.

      Cat 3: 55-60 Platinum Retirement An insentivised plan following same proposed for Silver or Gold which works for both the contributor and the SSB.

      God's comfort and blessings to the family at this time.
  • MY CONDOLENCES (09/02/2023, 20:52) Like (12) Dislike (1) Reply
    TO YOU YOUR FAMILY , FROM WHAT I KNOW OF HIM, HE WAS A REAL RESPECTABLE HUMAN BEING , MAY YOUR SOUL RIP , MY FRIEND ????
  • Rest Ez (09/02/2023, 21:43) Like (7) Dislike (1) Reply
    I remember his mother
  • Will be missed (10/02/2023, 00:22) Like (11) Dislike (0) Reply
    You were my favorite 3rd grade teacher. I was happy to apart of your life and Annie. I'm glad we spoked over the years and we had lunch everytime I came home to visit. You always made time for me whenever I visited. I will always remember you and you'll be missed. RIP Mr. Harrigan
  • St. George's Anglican 2000s Youth (10/02/2023, 01:51) Like (24) Dislike (0) Reply
    Mr. Harrigan you were a father, coach, choir director, event coordinator and a safe space for many of us young people (now in our 30s) who were members of St. George's at the end of the 90s and into the 2000s. Along with your wife (who we loved so much), you made Saturday's memorable for us for yearsss! You and your family became life long friends for many of us. I am too far away to attend your funeral but I will honour your legacy. After learning of your passing I had to sit quietly and allow the tears to fall. RIP Mr. Harrigan. We will love you for life.
  • guy hill (10/02/2023, 03:50) Like (19) Dislike (0) Reply
    Condolences to his entire family. Rest in peace my lifelong friend from up street.
  • WOW (10/02/2023, 06:33) Like (11) Dislike (0) Reply
    A gentleman gone too soon...RIP
  • resident (10/02/2023, 08:01) Like (7) Dislike (1) Reply
    What a humble loving God fearing man Mr Harrigan was. Truly a gem. He bore his illness with such dignity and grace. Just about a month ago I met him at the hospital and he was all smiles. He did look very frail but you would never know from his smile we exchanged pleasantries and I went on my way not knowing it was the last I would see him. RIEP my brother!!
  • grannyannie (10/02/2023, 08:52) Like (11) Dislike (0) Reply
    You were a Counselor during the Cand Garden Camp and were a Treasure to help Guide the many Children who were with us in such a Learning, Bonding, Sporting, and Fun Time. I will always Thank You and Appreciate your Kindnesses, Always.. Thank You, more than I cn say.
  • My condolences (10/02/2023, 08:53) Like (12) Dislike (0) Reply
    HE WAS A GOOD MAN
  • Jonathan (10/02/2023, 09:39) Like (13) Dislike (0) Reply
    Mr. Harrigan was the perfect definition and living example of the word "GENTLEMAN."
  • good man (10/02/2023, 11:52) Like (7) Dislike (0) Reply
    I remember him teaching Road Town Primary School back in the late 70s early 80s. Good dude and genuine. May his soul rest in peace
  • my2cents (10/02/2023, 12:05) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
    Big Respect. R.I.P. and condolences to the family
  • john smith (10/02/2023, 14:08) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    When I read Really's comments, I was totally disgusted. It just goes to show how many ignorant people we have walking around. Instead of extended sympathy, you just sounding off like a fool. Wake up and smell the roses you might learn something.
    • Really (10/02/2023, 15:14) Like (9) Dislike (7) Reply
      @ John Smith do you really think I care about your feelings because I rather get the facts out there. I know this man was fully vaccinated so I don't care what you have to say. The vaccine is the major problems in so many people lives and it killed hundreds of people I know so I don't care what amy of you all have to say because you are not the ones seeing all your loved ones getting buried at a young age. This is nothing I ever seen or you ever seen so shut up with you uneducated a.. I don't have to say or do anything I don't want that's why I have free Will to say what I want if you have a problem keep strolling because you can't come against me with no knowledge of what's getting people sick. Do you see the sky with the Chem trains with all the poison coming out of it producing cloud to make the artificial rain come wow stay dumb and in your feelings which I don't care about
  • Joyce Murraine (10/02/2023, 15:30) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    I am saddened to hear this. Patrick was such a pleasant man. I remembered in the early 70's as a boy he would come to our netball practices at BVI High School and even practiced with us ladies to prepare us to represent the BVI in the annual Caribbean Netball Tournaments, he always loved sport so no wonder he chose that field. My deepest condolences goes out to his family and friends. RIP Dear Patrick, you left your mark on many, young and old.
  • Yes (10/02/2023, 15:38) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    We hereby knight you ‐ Sir Patrick!
  • Big Sis (11/02/2023, 09:00) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    My deepest condolences to the family . My God heal your hearts and give you peace and strength in your time of grieving
    Love Nell


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