James Allen Lanigan's obituary , Passed away on August 23, 2025 in Brighton, Michigan

James Allen Lanigan

September 24, 1931 - August 23, 2025 (93 years old)

Brighton, Michigan

James Allen Lanigan's obituary , Passed away on August 23, 2025 in Brighton, Michigan

Funeral arrangement under the care of
Keehn-Griffin, L.J. Griffin Funeral Home

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James Allen Lanigan

September 24, 1931 - August 23, 2025 (93 years old)

Brighton, Michigan

James Allen Lanigan Obituary

James A. Lanigan, known to everyone as Al, passed away peacefully on Saturday, August 23, 2025, surrounded by his beautiful wife of 67 years, Barbara, and their four children Michael, Mary, Gregory, and Linda and spiritually, their infant son Patrick. Al was a loving, kind and generous husband, father, grandfather, and friend to many. He will remain forever in the hearts of his family and those he accepted into his life as his children and grandchildren. With his kind, loving nature and warmth, Al welcomed everyone into his home and considered them all family. Jayne, Duane, Vernon, Debbie, Julia, Sydney, and Alec are among those close family members. He's going to be greatly missed by his grandchildren Sean, Alison, Deanna, Alec, Kevin, Brian, Wesley, and through marriage Erin, Stephen, and Camilla. His great grandchildren were only given a brief time with him, but Olivia, Riley and Mia had his love.

Al was born in 1931 and was raised through the Great Depression. He shared stories of running behind the trains to gather fallen coal off the tracks for heat, using a chamber pot behind the stove and selling newspapers on the street corner during WWII. Through it all, he had a loving, supportive family in his parents, brothers, and sister.

He met his future wife at a church dance and eagerly married her in 1958. Shortly after, they began their family. They raised their children during their 35 years in Farmington and spent their retirement in Brighton. As a family, they loved camping, fishing and traveling together. The favorite long family trip was a nearly two-month camping trip to the Canadian Rockies where every meal was made over the fire and fishing, hiking, swimming, viewing the northern lights, and stargazing by the campfire were daily activities. Al's favorite campsite, however, was Rondeau Provincial Park in Ontario. We spent hundreds of weekends there as a family and Al and Barb continued to go well into retirement. His perfect moment was sitting by the fire, with Barbara at his side, listening to the night sounds at Rondeau.

The grandchildren followed on the heels of their parents and brought a renewed joy to the outdoors and camping.

Those that did not know him as Al, called him Mr. Lanigan. He was the heart of Larkshire Elementary School in Farmington Hills, from it's opening in 1965 until he retired in 1996, after 31 years. Every student that walked through the doors at Larkshire knew they were welcome, safe, and loved. The positive impact he had on his students, and their families, is well known to those who were lucky enough to be a member of the Larkshire community. This was his calling.

Upon his retirement, Al was touched and greatly honored when the Farmington School District renamed Larkshire to be J.A. Lanigan Elementary School.

His generosity was not limited to family and friends. It continued with his Larkshire Community. By leading a collaboration with parents, teachers, and community members, he aided in feeding families, clothing children, running holiday drives and reaching out to those who could benefit from support. In addition, his empathy allowed him to understand his teachers and students, and he was always willing to give a hug, offer guidance or patiently listen to anyone who needed him.

He loved and was loved by everyone who knew him.

The family welcomes you to a visitation for Al on Tuesday, September 2, 2025, at Keehn-Griffin Funeral Home, 706 W. Main Street, Brighton, from 3:00-8:00 p.m. We will have a scripture reading and sharing at 7:00 PM.

Memorial Gathering Wednesday, September 3, 2025 at 10:00 a.m. until the time of his Mass at 11:00 a.m. at St. Mary Magdalen Catholic Church, 2201 S. Old US 23 Highway, Brighton.

Donations in Al's memory may be made to CARES of Farmington Hills https://caresfh.org or any food/clothing pantry of your choice.

Funeral arrangement under the care of
Keehn-Griffin, L.J. Griffin Funeral Home


Updated by : Linda Fox

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500 CHARACTERS

Tue

Sep 02

Visitation

Keehn-Griffin Funeral Home
706 W Main St, Brighton, MI 48116

Wed

Sep 03

Visitation

St. Mary Magdalen Catholic Church
2201 S Old US Hwy 23, Brighton, MI 48116

Wed

Sep 03

Mass

St. Mary Magdalen Catholic Church
2201 S Old US Hwy 23, Brighton, MI 48116