Patrick David Colligan - July 25, 1954 - June 22, 2025

    Patrick David Colligan, age 70, passed away peacefully on June 22, 2025, in Franklin, Tenn., with his loving wife, Christina, by his side.
    Pat was born in Bagley, Minn., on July 25, 1954, to James and Mary Colligan. He was one of four siblings and was preceded in death by his parents and his brother, James III Colligan. He is survived by his sister Judy (James) Colligan-Marshall, his brother Michael (Lynn) Colligan, his nephew Joshua (Olivia) Rutherford and nieces Megan (Tyler) Borders, Katelyn (Codi) Ballard, Jenna (Michael) Tormanen and Maddie (Zach) Miller. He is also survived by his brother-in-law, Dan Rutherford, and sister-in-law, Cindy Rutherford.
    In his early years, Pat loved hunting and riding his Harley with close friends. As he got older, he picked up a camera and began capturing wildlife in photos instead. He loved the outdoors — camping, snowmobiling, trail riding in the side-by-side and exploring ghost towns and national parks. His passion for history, especially the Lewis and Clark expedition, ran deep.
    Montana was his dream. He and Christina built a home there together, one that Pat poured his heart and hands into. It became a gathering place for family and friends, full of warmth, laughter and the views he loved from the deck. He treasured watching wildlife around their land and sharing that life with others.
Pat loved to travel, from road trips to European and Alaskan cruises. He was proud of his skills in the kitchen, at the grill, smoking ribs, and enjoyed baking. He rarely let anyone leave hungry, and sharing a meal was one of his favorite ways to show love.
    Pat was a man’s man and a gentle giant. He had that rare combination of strength and softness - someone who could fill a room with his presence but also offer a quiet word or warm smile that put you instantly at ease. If you knew Pat, you knew of his deep love for the history of the American West. He didn’t just read about it - he seemed to live it in spirit. I used to say he would’ve fit right in a hundred years ago, riding the ridgelines as a mountain man, living off the land with grit and purpose. It wasn’t hard to imagine him in buckskin and boots, under a wide Western sky, fully alive. But what made Pat truly remarkable wasn’t just his deep knowledge of the past — it was his love in the present. His devotion to Chris, lovingly known as Muffin, and his fierce love for his family were at the core of who he was. You could see it in his eyes, hear it in his voice, and feel it in every action, big or small. Pat lived with authenticity and heart. He was a man anchored by what mattered: Faith, Love, Loyalty and a life lived true to who he was.
    Pat’s faith was steady and sincere. He loved church, singing hymns, and fellowshipping with other believers. His belief in God anchored him  - and showed in the way he lived, loved and gave.
    A burial service will be held in Bagley, Minn., on Oct. 11, 2025, to honor the place where his journey began.
    In lieu of flowers, the family invites you to honor Pat’s memory by doing something he would’ve loved. Take a drive through the mountains. Sing an old hymn. Light up the smoker. Sit on a deck with someone you love. Share a story. Forgive, laugh, love your people well. That’s how Pat lived and that’s how he’ll be remembered.