Harold M. Nelligan passed away on January 13, 2025 from pancreatic cancer at the Coastal Carolina Hospital in Hardeeville SC.
Harry was born in Jacksonville FLA. on August 26, 1946, where he was raised until he was about 11 years old. He then moved with his parents, Suzanne C. Nelligan and Thomas A. Nelligan, to Savannah GA and attended grade school at Saint James Catholic School, and high school at Benedictine Military School.
In 1964, at age 18, Harry volunteered to serve in the US Army. He was deployed to South Vietnam multiple times, serving there total of three and a half years with units in the 101st Airborn Division and the 5th Special Forces group (Green Berets), in locations including Phan Rang, Kontum, Pleiku and Saigon. Rising to the rank of Staff Sergeant quickly, Harry was awarded the Bronze Star (with V device) for an act of valor in combat. He left the Army in 1970.
A lifelong bachelor, Harry had a passion for nature, fishing, and animals. This passion led him to become a commercial fisherman.
He had a beloved pet raccoon that he spoiled rotten on one of the several shrimp boats he captained. He was also an award-winning sport fisherman. In one fishing contest in which Harry won first place, it was noted in the local newspaper that he resuscitated his prize winning fish and tossed it back in the water so the fish could finish living his life. He also loved taking his little brothers hunting and fishing.
In the mid 90’s Harry began another career as a licensed commercial and residential gas appliance installation and repair specialist with Suburban Propane in Key West FLA and Hilton Head SC.
Harry had a heart of gold and would help family members and friends without hesitation. He is preceded in death by his brother Frank Nelligan. Harry is survived by his three brothers Robert Mullen, Donald Nelligan (Catherine Gibbs), Thomas Anthony Nelligan (Glenda), his sister Moira Nelligan (Michael Hickey) and many nieces and nephews.
The burial service for Harry’s family will be held January 27, 2025 at 2 PM at Greenwich Cemetery, conducted by
Families First Funeral Care.
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April Allen (Stevenson)
We’ll miss you cousin Harry. I’ll never forget the ice cream celebrations we had with Gigi when you would visit. So many fun times and stories.
Moira Nelligan
Thank you so much for taking the time to share that you enjoyed good times with Harry. Means a lot to me, April. Love you cousin!
Mary Range Pattee
I remember Harry through the years. He was an interesting conversationalist. My first memory was seeing him walking proudly in his green beret uniform. He was visiting Papa and walked around to our house. I had never been that close to a military man. I was impressed. I also went out on Uncle Tom’s shrimp boat. Harry made me pop some shrimp heads off and after he knew I was too grossed out he delegated me to the Galley. I am sorry to hear the news and will keep the family in my prayers.
Moira Nelligan
Wasn’t Harry something else in that green beret uniform?? Thank you for sharing that memory. I especially enjoyed the shrimp head story! So glad you, Julie, and Mark were able to come to the service. That made me so happy! Also, thank you for the prayers.
Jennifer Smith
I met Mr. Nelligan as one of his CNA’s at Ridgeland Nursing Center. We had some nice conversations while he was here. He shared many military stories with me and I will truly miss his smile. My prayers are with his family and friends. God Bless you all
Moira Nelligan
Thank you for this sweet message and prayers, Jennifer. How kind of you to take the time to let us know that you connected with Harry in a positive way, and that you have good memories of him. The last time I saw him, on Christmas Eve, he flashed that famous Harry smile a couple of times!