Paul David Joseph Ferrigan

Paul Ferrigan 

 It is with great sadness that the family of Paul Ferrigan announces his sudden passing on March 31, 2022 at the Ottawa Hospital Civic Campus after a very short stay.

Paul grew up in centre town Ottawa and graduated from Ryerson Polytechnical Institute in Mechanical Technology. Following graduation, he accepted a position with Atomic Energy of Canada Limited at Chalk River Nuclear Labs.  Through friends Paul was introduced to Jean (nee Getz) of Pembroke.  They were married in 1961 and with the arrival of Joe and Deb their family was complete.

Paul was always a tinkerer and was soon supplementing his AECL income by  repairing small engines on evenings and weekends, first with Clark’s and eventually starting his own business in the garage of the family home on Huron Street. The business quickly outgrew the Huron street garage and the family moved to a house better suited to his business east of Deep River.  It was then that Paul Ferrigan Marine Sales and Service was established.  He would go on to operate this business for over three decades and became a well-known Deep River institution supporting small engine owners from Chalk River to Rolphton until he closed up shop in 2008. To assist with the volume of work in the summer, Paul employed fourteen apprentices throughout the years and many of these trainees credit Paul with starting them off on a related career path.

Paul will be remembered for his love of motorboat racing and was one of the founding members of the Deep River Motorboat Club.  He was an avid old timer hockey player, winning accolades for being the oldest player in a tournament one year and in fact only reluctantly hanging up his skates at the age of 81. 

Paul and Jean enjoyed many years of healthy retirement and towed their fifth-wheel trailer through every province and territory except Nunavut and every state except Hawaii.

Paul will be dearly missed by his wife (Jean) of 61 years, his children Joe (Tina) of Ajax and Deb (Richard) of Ottawa, cherished grandchildren Kyle (Alicia) and Grace, and great-grandchild Kellen. Dear brother of Peter and his late wife Carol, Rob and his wife Rosie, Pat and many nieces and nephews.

Respecting Paul’s request, cremation has taken place.  A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, April 23 at 11:00 a.m., in the Chapel of Valley Funeral Home, Deep River.

In lieu of flowers, in memoriam donations to Parkinson Canada, the University of Ottawa Heart Institute, or in recognition of his love of the river, to the River Recreation Improvement Association (https://rriadeepriver.wixsite.com/rria) would be gratefully appreciated.