Above / Mary Corrigan and Chuck Corrigan recently gave tribute to their Irish heritage with their youngest grandchild, Emily Corrigan, and son John Corrigan in front of the Murray Building at Naper Settlement. Early owners of the home, John Murray and his son, attorney Robert Murray, were of Irish descent. In fact, John Murray, born in Ireland in 1785, traveled from Ashtabula, Ohio, to the banks of the DuPage River with Captain Joseph Naper in 1831.
Since 2006, Chuck Corrigan has served as WSI St. Patrick’s Parade Chairman. To commemorate the 25th year, the WSI President also was named “Grand Marshal of the St. Patrick’s Parade” that begins at 10AM Sat., March 10. During the recent Emerald Dinner, Councilman Paul Hinterlong read a proclamation by Mayor Steve Chirico that designated February 24, 2018, as “Chuck Corrigan Day in Naperville.” Corrigan’s Irish eyes were smiling as he stood between 2017 Grand Marshal Nancy Quigley and Hinterlong at Elements on Water Street.
C, O, double-R, I, G, A, N spells Corrigan, Corrigan
Remember the tune to “Harrigan,” the spirited song written by George M. Cohan for a little-known Broadway musical back in 1908? The lyrics celebrate Irish heritage and with two simple letter changes, the song easily could pay honorable homage to West Suburban Irish President Chuck Corrigan, this year’s Grand Marshal for the WSI St. Patrick’s Parade.
Sing along now…
C, O, double-R, I, G, A, N spells Corrigan, Corrigan.
Proud of all the Irish blood that’s in thee
Divvil a man can say a word agin thee
C, O, double-R, I, G, A, N you see.
Is a name that a shame never has been connected with…
Corrigan, that’s he!
Celebrating Irish heritage for 25 years and under Corrigan’s leadership since 2007, the West Suburban Irish are preparing to put on a colorful display of community spirit when the annual St. Patrick’s Parade steps off at 10AM Sat., March 10.
But first, consider how it began.
A few Irish-American folks in the community, led by Kevin Dolan, pushed and persisted to host a “Gathering of the Clans” Parade in early 1993. Back then a handful of volunteers organized a short, four-block St. Patrick’s Day Parade in downtown Naperville. The following year, the parade route as well as the quality and quantity of parade entries increased, as did the crowd of spectators. A Post Parade Party at 5th Avenue Station included trophies for 1st, 2nd and 3rd Place entries.
For many reasons, the parade was canceled in 1995.
In 1996, the mighty soon-to-be WSI came back with “a vengeance,” Corrigan said. The growing club not only celebrated the season with its parade, it hosted its inaugural Emerald Dinner. To raise funds, the group published an ad book and sold t-shirts and sweatshirts. The first Parade Queen Contest and the first Irish Mass were held. That September, the dedicated folks also put on a Half Way to St. Patrick’s Day Party. Heightening awareness with attractive events turned into a surplus of funds that benefited St. Patrick’s Residence and the Irish Children’s Fund.
What started out as a short parade has evolved into a larger, more diverse nonprofit organization hosting events such as Quiz Nights at Quigley’s and purchasing blocks of seats for to watch Irish performers at North Central College. With the continued support of the City of Naperville, Naperville Park District, Naperville North High School, various businesses, elected officials and hopefuls, the West Suburban Irish aim to continue improving and expanding activities for years to come. Sláinte!
Corrigan clan cerebrates…
Since the Jaycees Last Fling 2001 when PN launched its first issue to preview hyper-local activities and businesses, the Corrigan family has been observed teaming up to help with special events that do good things for the community.
Considering Chuck Corrigan’s longtime dedication with the West Suburban Irish, your editors wondered what it’s been like for other Corrigans to watch the local organization grow.
Mary Corrigan, known for her contributions to create prize packages for Quiz Nights and gift baskets for the Emerald Dinner raffles, reminded us that each WSI Quiz Night presents an award for the judges’ favorite team name. “The team names are always very creative, making it hard to choose just one,” she said.
“Chuck tends to tie family members into the themes. When Kevin turned 18, that month a category was about ‘famous Kevins.’ There’s usually a college basketball question about Georgetown during March Madness. And one time when my mom was at Quiz night, Chuck threw in a question about her birthday.”
Katie Corrigan wrote from California that her aversion to cold, early mornings and not living locally have kept her away from most of the parades. That said, she does recall “coming home one winter break and walking into the garage to encounter a giant Irish parade float.”
She also remembers one entire afternoon at the kitchen table. “Each of us had a cup of tea, laminating page after page of parade routes and line-ups!”
Katie and her husband, Tom, have tried many different trivia nights throughout Los Angeles and San Francisco, “but none of them compare to the quality and timeliness (and humor!) of the WSI Quiz Night.”
Charlie Corrigan and his wife, Kate Murray, are parents to two of the three Corrigan grandchildren. Charlie said, “My Dad loves celebrating Irish culture and trivia in his hometown of Naperville. But I also have great memories of traveling through Ireland with him — including one time playing a quiz night at the Old Castle Bar in Donegal. The locals at the pub were tickled to have the Yanks there, and we held our own for most of the night. Some kind regulars did give us help on the picture page with obscure Irish ‘celebrities.’ My favorite question was when they asked which U.S. coin had Abraham Lincoln on it… and it was a multiple choice answer!”
Charlie continued, “Even though I cannot often make it to the First Tuesday Quiz Night at Quigley’s, I try to pitch in with some categories from time to time. That also helps Dad, because if he ever gets feedback that a round was too hard, he can blame those ones on me.”
John Corrigan and his wife, Kristen, are parents of the youngest Corrigan, pictured on this month’s cover.
“I remember our family played trivia in a small bar in Ireland back in 2004 and had a lot of fun,” said John. “When I moved home after graduating college, my dad suggested we start a trivia night at Quigley’s to give us something to do together and bring more publicity to WSI. At the time, I don’t think there was much trivia to be found in Naperville, but I was shocked at how quickly the night became incredibly popular. We started out going table to table asking people if they would like to participate in the free pub quiz. It only took a couple of monthly quiz nights before people started arriving early to reserve the best tables and filling the pub to the brim! Eleven years later, it’s still a hit.”
John recalls working the morning shift of parade setup a few times. “I must be bad luck because those were the years of freezing temperatures and soggy conditions,” John said. “The years I was not able to make it were typically gorgeous and sunny (at least that is what my selective memory recalls)!”
Bryan Corrigan shares similar sentiments that early morning start times were challenging—and cold.
Kevin Corrigan recognizes his father’s passion and dedication for WSI and all the festivities. “I remember we’d be bundled in Irish scarves and clutching to hand warmers, but no matter the weather, Dad was always so excited and enthusiastic. He’d always remember to get me a clipboard which I believed made me look very official. He always makes the work we do so exciting for the family and friends who work with him.”
The Corrigans and members of the WSI volunteer to ensure that the St Patrick’s Day Parade welcomes everybody. And as Katie noted, “The parade features a variety of entries from Stormtroopers to mounted units, bringing the community together.”
“Over the first 25 years, hundreds of volunteers and tens of thousands of people have marched or ridden in the St. Patrick’s Parade, and tens of thousands more have enjoyed watching the Parade,” said Chuck Corrigan with gratitude, reminiscing about his first very small role in 2004 and how it’s grown.
This year’s Grand Marshal also is thrilled that for the first time, his six sisters and two brothers plan to attend the festivities.
“Remember, everyone is Irish on St. Patrick’s Day and the Parade Day!” said Corrigan.
—PN
Grand Marshals through the years!
1993, Mayor Sam Macrane*; 1994, Jim Ryan;
1995, No Parade;
1996, Mayor George Pradel; 1997, Hugh Hill*; 1998, Harris Fawell; 1999, Mayor George Pradel; 2000, Dorcas Pearcy*; 2001, Barbara McNulty; 2002, Fr. Don Kenney*; 2003, Bill & Sue Ann McCarthy…
Chuck Corrigan joins WSI St. Patrick’s Parade Committee in 2004…
2004, Mike Quigley*;
2005, Honey Mears*…
Chuck Corrigan begins serving as WSI St. Patrick’s Parade Chairman in 2006…
2006, Dan Casey; 2007, Ray Kinney; 2008, Nick Ryan; 2009, Mike Connelly; 2010, Ray McGury;
2011, Sr. Jeanne Haley, O. Carm.; 2012, Nonnie Moran Marovich; 2013, Kevin Dolan; 2014, Mike Reilly; 2015, Brian Cunningham; 2016, Patrick Bowler; 2017, Nancy Quigley…
And 2018…
Chuck Corrigan is Grand Marshal.
*Deceased
