Retired Captain James J. Corrigan
Engine 320

Memorial Service was held
on October 13, 2001

Laid to Rest
on April 1, 2002

Shortly after the first jetliner hit the World Trade Center's north tower, James Corrigan called his home in Little Neck, Queens, to talk to his wife, Marie. "It was to say he was safe and that he had gone for coffee." So she knew he was not in his office on the 88th floor when the plane hit, that he had gotten out. She didn't expect him to leave the scene, but she didn't think he was going back in either.

Corrigan, 60, a retired New York City fire captain, was director of fire and life services for the management of the World Trade Center. Marie Corrigan knew that in his civilian capacity he would be assisting the firefighting efforts. She also knew he had worked for Company 10 in downtown Manhattan for years. She never expected him to be lost.

"I figured from working there and from working at [Company] 10 for so many years, he knew the buildings inside out. I felt that if things got bad, he would somehow have someplace to go."

Marie Corrigan was told her husband was last seen in the lobby of Tower One just before the collapse of the building. "As far as I know, he was still on the lobby level when the building collapsed."

The two were planning a trip to Las Vegas for a celebration of their 30th anniversary the next weekend, a gift from their sons, J. Brendan and Sean.

Brooklyn natives, they had met when Corrigan was a city police officer in Brooklyn. She flagged down his police car. "I was a lady in distress," she said, without elaborating. The two were later married, moved to Coram and then back into the city, spending the past 23 years in Little Neck.

Corrigan spent six years with the city police and 23 with the Fire Department, retiring in 1994 from Engine Co. 320.

Tom Demoretcky (Newsday), October 18, 2001

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