Priest who led Mundelein retreat, served in Des Plaines, Schaumburg, dead at 79

A Catholic priest who once headed a Mundelein retreat house and served at churches in the Northwest suburbs has died.

The Rev. Robert E. Ferrigan died Thursday at Presence St. Benedict Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Niles, according to the Archdiocese of Chicago. He was 79.

He most recently was pastor emeritus of Sacred Heart Parish in Winnetka, archdiocese officials said Friday.

From 1983 to 1990, Ferrigan was director of the Cardinal Stritch Retreat House on the campus of University of St. Mary of the Lake/Mundelein Seminary. In addition, he had a stint as the seminary's spiritual director.

He moved on from the retreat house and seminary to serve as Sacred Heart's pastor from 1990 to 2006, where he later received emeritus status.

Among his many assignments, Ferrigan was assistant pastor at St. Stephen Protomartyr Parish in Des Plaines from 1961 to 1966 and St. Matthew Parish in Schaumburg from 1977 to 1983.

The Rev. William Kenneally, a retired archdiocesan priest, was a longtime friend and classmate who has known Ferrigan since high school. He remembers Ferrigan for having a "distinct personality" and said many are mourning the loss.

"Father Ferrigan was an extraordinary pastor - someone who loved the priesthood and was a real character," Kenneally said in a statement.

The Rev. Kenneth Simpson, pastor of St. Clement Parish in Chicago, said Ferrigan had a great sense of humor and was considered a mentor.

Visitation is set for 3 to 9 p.m. Monday, Oct. 12, at Sacred Heart Parish, 1077 Tower Road, Winnetka. There will be a second visitation at the church at 10 a.m. until the funeral Mass at 11 a.m.

Ferrigan is survived by several cousins.