Mathew James Lanigan (April 10, 1964 – November 27, 2012) was an American businessman and selectman from Kennebunkport, Maine. A supporter of the town's annual Christmas Prelude, the 2012 edition of the event was dedicated in his honor, and the bridge connecting Kennebunkport and Kennebunk is now named for him.

Mathew Lanigan
BornApril 10, 1964
DiedNovember 27, 2012(2012-11-27) (aged 48)
NationalityAmerican

Lanigan was also a member of the Kennebunkport Business Association.[1]

Life and career

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Lanigan was born in San Juan, Puerto Rico, to Donald and Margaret Hanna.[2] He graduated Sarasota High School and the University of Central Florida.[2]

After several years as concierge manager at Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa in Orlando, Florida, he later became the owner of The Emporium, a store in Kennebunkport's Dock Square, for seventeen years.[1] The business was named one of the top 100 retailers of the world by Swarovski.[3]

He served on Kennebunkport's board of selectmen for eight years, including as its chair between 2007 and 2009.[1]

Beginning in 1986, he volunteered to decorate the town for its annual Christmas Prelude, including stringing the lights on the tree, and the bridge separating Kennebunkport from neighboring Kennebunk.[1] The bridge was named in his honor upon his death.[4][5]

Death

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On November 27, 2012, Lanigan died, aged 48,[2] from complications from brain surgery performed eight days earlier. He was survived by his wife of ten years, Jennifer Lufkin,[2] and three children.[1]

Notes

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  1. ^ a b c d e Writer, Melanie CreamerStaff (2012-11-29). "Kennebunkport mourns loss of businessman". Press Herald. Retrieved 2022-12-25.
  2. ^ a b c d "Mathew Lanigan - Tuesday, November 27th, 2012". www.bibberfuneral.com. Retrieved 2022-12-25.
  3. ^ Dolce, Laura. "Kennebunkport's Mat Lanigan dies". Portsmouth Herald. Retrieved 2022-12-25.
  4. ^ "HP0018, LD 14, item 1, Resolve, Directing the Department of Transportation To Name a Bridge between Kennebunk and Kennebunkport the Mathew Lanigan Bridge". www.mainelegislature.org. Retrieved 2022-12-25.
  5. ^ "Kennebunkport Bridge (Mathew J. Lanigan Bridge) - HistoricBridges.org". historicbridges.org. Retrieved 2022-12-25.