Farewell to Safety Chief Died hero Sept. 11 getting others out

April 2, 2002, New York Daily News, by Austin Fenner, LINK


April 2, 2002
Farewell to Safety Chief
Died hero Sept. 11 getting others out
By AUSTIN FENNER
Daily News Staff Writer
hen disaster struck the World Trade Center on Sept. 11, Fire Safety Director James Corrigan died helping lead others to safety.

	Coffin of WTC Fire Safety Director James Corrigan is carried from St. Anastasia's Church in Douglaston, Queens yesterday.

Yesterday, April 1st 2002, more than 300 friends and fellow firefighters said a final farewell to Corrigan — whose remains were found several days ago in the ruins of the south tower. 
 
Sprays of red roses and baskets of white orchids covered the altar at St. Anastasia's Church for the 60-year-old retired fire captain's funeral Mass in Douglaston, Queens. 
 
"James brought a tremendous amount of love to the world," said the Rev. George Lutgen, as he looked in the direction of Corrigan's wife, Marie, and sons, Sean and Brendan. "This is not the end for James, but a new beginning."
 
Blustery winds swept over the honor guard. Their flags were quickly fluttering as the wailing sound of bagpipes filled the air.

Corrigan, a soft-spoken man, was considered an expert in high-rise safety. He honed his fire safety skills as a lieutenant and captain for Ladder 10 on Liberty St., which sat directly across the street from the once-gleaming towers. 
 
The 25-year veteran retired from the Fire Department in March 1994. 
 
After he left the Fire Department, Corrigan became the fire and safety director of 7 World Trade Center. Last August, Corrigan was promoted to oversee fire and safety operations for the entire complex.

"He was in the north tower. They [firefighters] were deploying forces after the south tower got hit," said Lt. Matt Donachie of Ladder 10. "He led other firefighters into the south tower because he knew the building. It was mass confusion."

Corrigan was a New York City cop for six years before he joined the Fire Department in 1969. He lived with his family in Little Neck, Queens.

"He was an excellent teacher," said Firefighter Juan Pacheco. "He would make you think why a certain situation would work."

His colleagues also recalled Corrigan as a family man who would often bring his then-teenage sons to the firehouse.

Firefighter Ray Moss described Corrigan as a man who led by example, right to the very end.
"He never left his post," said Moss. "He was doing his job."