John Patrick Radigan Jr. “Jack” passed away on April 8th surrounded by his family. Jack was a special man, father, husband, grandfather and great-grandfather who loved family , friends, golf, the holidays, sports, summers with family on Prince Edward Island, his home on Red Top Drive, a good meal and a cold beer, not necessarily in that order. Proud of his Irish-English heritage, he was a barber for 60 years working first for his father John Patrick Radigan Sr. at Radigan’s Barber Shop in Elmwood, and later becoming the owner. Dad loved being a barber even though he started out in pre-dentistry, he continued to work up until 2 months before his death. Jack grew up in the South End of Hartford lived on South Street and White Street and entertained family and friends with stories of his days of playing ball behind the rocks, or running around Goodwin Park to stay in shape for his primary love, basketball. One of Babe Allen’s talented quintet playing forward for one of the best Bulkeley High School basketball teams in that schools history, going all the way to the state tournaments undefeated until a loss at Madison Square Garden. The Hartford Courant described him “as a crack marksman, a corner specialist with a drive in to the basket to go along with his one handers from the corners.” Jack’s basketball skills earned him a full scholarship to the University of Maryland after a pg year at Massanutten Military Prep School. He enjoyed being a gym teacher at St. Brigid School and coaching the CYO basketball team for many years. After marrying Florence DiCioccio, a south end girl he fell in love with at first sight at a Xmas dance, Jack became a barber at Radigan’s and started a family. Family and friends described him as eternally young at heart, a gifted multi-sport athlete, great dancer, a comedian who could tell a joke like no other, a charmer, good looking, a man’s man and a loyal friend for life. Jack leaves his wife Florence, daughters Noel, Holly and son John Patrick Radigan III and daughter in law Donna, grandchildren Heather Manafort and grandson in law Bill Manafort, John Patrick Radigan IV, Hannah and Samuel Ray, and great-granddaughter Olivia Manafort. Jack is survived by his sister Jill Barry. Jack leaves behind his beloved brothers and sisters laws and his nieces and nephews.
Calling hours will be held at the Sheehan Hilborn Breen Funeral Home, 1084 New Britain Avenue in the Elmwood section of West Hartford on Friday April 12 from 5-8. A Mass of Christian Burial will be on Saturday, April 13 at 10:00 am at St. Thomas the Apostle Church, Farmington Ave in West Hartford. Donations in lieu of flowers may be made in Jack’s name to the Boys and Girls Club of Hartford, 170 Sigourney St., Hartford, CT 06105.