Michael James Ferrigan, 84, of Sterling, formerly a longtime resident of Ingleside, peacefully passed away Saturday, August 9, 2025, at home and surrounded by his family.  He was born October 27, 1940, in Chicago, to the late Howard and Esther (nee Neuroth) Ferrigan.

Mike was a 65-year member of Plumbers Local 130 (45 years active, 20 years retired), 52-year active member of the National Ski Patrol, and a 64-year member of Our Lady of the Lakes-St. Bede Church, Ingleside.  He gave back to his community by being a volunteer for St. Vincent DePaul, a CPR instructor and Advanced First Aid instructor for the American Heart Association and American Red Cross for over 20 years, and serving as an official for soccer and swimming.

Mike was an adventurer at heart whose pride and glory was travelling to exotic places in the world and experiencing many different cultures.  His favorite part of traveling was meeting people and learning about them.  Mike spent his whole life learning new things and experiencing new challenges and was never one to say "no" to any new adventure.

In his free time, Mike loved activities with his family and friends, including: bowling, golfing, downhill skiing, hiking, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, rock climbing, bicycling, kayaking, camping, scuba diving, mountain biking, swimming, canoeing, sledding, tobogganing, and ice skating.  In addition to traveling, he enjoyed reading, word puzzles, building and DIY projects, art appreciation, theatre, photography, nature, animals, and was known to be a prolific bread maker and family pizza expert.  Mike adored all animals—especially his pet dogs and cats.  His retirement was spent dedicated to caring for horses, dogs, cats, and any straggler who made its way onto the farm.

A loving husband, father, uncle, grandfather, great-grandfather, and friend, Mike is survived by his wife, Kathleen; children, Timothy (Ann), Kevin (Angela), Colleen (David), and Michael (Laura); grandchildren, Kasey (Hannah), Kara, Katie, Emma, Alyssa (Jacob), Nathan, and Michael; great-grandchildren, Lilly and Brantley; siblings, Steven, Rosemary, and Kathryn; and many loving nieces, nephews, extended family members, and good friends.

In addition to his parents, Mike was preceded in death by siblings, Paul, David, Robert, Gerald, Gordon, Daniel, and Patricia.

Memorial visitation Friday, August 22, from 9 a.m. until the memorial service at 11 a.m., at RINGA FUNERAL HOME , 122 S. Milwaukee Ave., Lake Villa.  A luncheon at Parkway on the Lake, Ingleside will follow ( if attending the luncheon, please RSVP to colleen.kuszynski@gmail.com, by August 17 ).