Patrick N. Gilligan, the last of four children of Thomas and Helen (Clifton) Gilligan, was born January 27, 1937 in Estelline. He grew up on a farm east of Estelline and graduated from Estelline High School in 1955. Pat served in the U.S. Navy a short time in 1957 and was united in marriage to Joan Johnson on January 25, 1958 in Estelline. Joan was not only his wife, but also his buddy. They lived in Brookings a short time where he worked at a gas station before moving to Estelline where he served as city policeman and also owned and operated a gas station. Pat also drove school bus, worked as an electrician installing furnaces and worked at Heisler Hardware. Pat managed the Brookings-Deuel Rural Water System from 1978 to February 1, 2007 when he retired. He began his career at rural water as an inspector and was promoted to manager after one year. He was with rural water for 31 years and managed it for 30 years. He was also in charge of administration for the Joint Wellfield which was started in 1975 when Brookings-Deuel Rural Water and Kingbrook Rural Water were in need of a water source. Pat has accomplished and dedicated much of his time to the rural water system. He was selected as the SDARWS manager of the year in 1983 and 2006. Other awards he received are the SDARWS Carroll Anderson Memorial and the SDARWS water system of the year. He also served on the One Call Board for 13 years and was instrumental in making Brookings-Deuel Rural Water System a success and was well loved and respected by his staff and peers. Pat died on Monday, January 27, 2014, his 77th birthday, at a Sioux Falls hospital as the result of an auto accident. Pat was an avid hunter and fisherman and enjoyed golfing and auction sales. Grateful for having shared his life are his wife Joan of Estelline; four children, Kevin (Alana) Gilligan, Patti Jo (David) Merril, Brian (Alice) Gilligan, all of Tucson, AZ, Teressa (Wayne) Freyberg of Brookings; many grandchildren and great grandchildren; and a host of other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, Warren and Harvey; one sister Jean Gilligan; and one grandson Sean Gilligan. His funeral service will be 2:00 PM Saturday, February 1, 2014 at the Estelline American Legion. Visitation will be Friday from 4PM to 7PM at Geise Funeral Home in Estelline.