Francis William Merrigan, 81 of Pinehurst died Wednesday, February 15, 2012 at Manor Care Health Care and Rehab in Pinehurst.  Mr. Merrigan was born August 2, 1930 in Flushing, NY; to the late Francis William Merrigan and Elizabeth Agnes Lee Merrigan.

A funeral mass will be held 11AM Saturday February 18th 2012 at Sacred Heart Roman Catholic Church in Pinehurst with the Rev. Edward J. Burch officiating.   Mr. Merrigan served during the Korean Conflict in the US Army. He obtained his bachelors in Business Administration from St. Johns University in New York in 1951later receiving his MBA from NYU Stern School of Business in 1958.   Mr. Merrigan began his long career with the Caltex Oil Company which spanned forty one years before his retirement to the Pinehurst area over twenty years ago.  His career consisted of overseas assignments giving him and his family the opportunity to live in Germany and South Africa.  Mr. Merrigan retired to the Pinehurst area becoming an active member at Sacred Heart Roman Catholic Church. Mr. Merrigan’s interests included golf, sports, and following political events.  

Mr. Merrigan is survived by his wife of fifty six years, Elaine Phyllis Bealin Merrigan.  Two sons, Kenneth (Ken) Merrigan and wife Patricia Ann (Patti) of Burlingame, CA; and Richard Joseph Merrigan and wife Cristi of Raleigh, NC; a daughter, Mary Elizabeth Carlson and husband Richard of Las Vegas, NV; five grandchildren, Kelsey, Kyle, and Lindsey Merrigan and Michael and Tara Carlson.   Mr. Merrigan was preceded in death by two sisters, Margaret Stahlman and Betty Murphy.

In lieu of flowers memorial donations can be made in memory of Francis Merrigan to the Sacred Heart Roman Catholic Church at PO Box 1768 Pinehurst, NC 28370.