Joseph William Gilligan, Jr

Joseph Gilligan was known for telling family members, and friends with determination that his goal was to live to 100 years old! And why not? His mother lived over 101 years old and his Aunt Pat until 105 years old. He was very proud of that family longevity! After living a long life, well lived, Joseph was just short of reaching 97 years old when he passed away quietly into the arms of Jesus on December 29, 2024, surrounded by his loving family.

Joseph was born in Tacoma, Washington to Joseph and Anna Gilligan on February 6, 1928. He was raised on a 10-acre farm in Summit, Washington and graduated from Puyallup High School in the Viking Class of 1946.

He served 5 years in the United States Navy, including the Korean War. While in the Navy, he learned his skill as a Chief Mechanical and Electrical Engineer, and over the years became known as a “Jack of All Trades”, which proved instrumental throughout his lifetime.

Upon leaving the Navy and traveling through Denmark, he met his wife, Mary. While working in the civil service overseas, Joseph and Mary traveled between Iceland and Japan, and had three children. It was in 1963, they came back to Tacoma, Washington to settle down and raise their family.

Both Joseph, and his wife Mary, shared a love of traveling, and opened two Olympus Travel Agencies, one in Gig Harbor and one in Tacoma. This love of traveling was shared with their three children who traveled the world with them and now share that love and enjoyment with their families. 

Joseph traveled the world working for companies such as Bendix, Phillips, RCA, and Unisea in various capacities. Also, he worked closer to home at Fort Lewis/McChord and with the City of Tacoma. Naturally, he was asked to serve on various boards due to his wealth of knowledge.

He was passionate about education, always encouraging others and himself to learn new things. He loved teaching people and sharing his knowledge. He was so proud to have worked as the Facility Maintenance Manager for Charles Wright Academy and overseeing the construction of the lower school building. That was one of his big achievements! 

Joseph loved collecting classic cars and attending classic car shows, traveling, visiting with family and friends, celebrating St. Patrick’s Day, playing the stock market, and attending veteran events. He was very patriotic and loved his country!

He is preceded in death by his parents, Joseph and Anna Gilligan, and his wife Mary Gilligan. He is survived by his two daughters, Marilyn Pfingston (Dave) and Catherin Gilligan, as well as his son, John Gilligan (Debbie) and nephew, Richard Hauksson (who was like a son to him). Joseph was blessed to have 6 grandchildren, 18 great-grandchildren, and 1 great-great grandchild.

One of Joseph’s greatest achievements was being a cancer survivor and fighter for over 30 years. In Lieu of flowers, please donate to the Cancer Society.