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In Memoriam P atrick F. C adigan ’52
Pat Cadigan ’52 passed away on April 20, 2020. After graduating from BC High in 1952 and Boston College in 1957, Pat worked as a product manager at Sylvania Electronic Systems in Waltham for five years before being recruited to the West Coast to oversee sales and marketing for the Electronic Engineering Company of California (EECO). He rose rapidly to become its President and CEO, running the company for nearly 20 years, and expanding it both nationally and internationally. During this time, he also served on the boards of 15 firms. He retired from EECO after his wife, Barbara, was diagnosed with terminal cancer, and later served as chairman and CEO of several public companies, including Gateway Communications, Inc., and Linear Instruments Corporation. He invested in Orange County real estate for 40 years – his primary focus upon retiring from the high-tech business world.
In addition to his Jesuit education, he received an MBA from Boston University, a degree from Harvard University’s Advanced Management Program, and a master’s degree and Ph.D. from Claremont Graduate University – where he studied under the late business philosopher Peter Drucker, and where he would eventually serve on its board of trustees. He also served on the foundation board at the University of California, Irvine. But Pat cited his Jesuit education as the pivotal factor in his personal formation and professional success, “My education at BC High and Boston College was a great experience that taught me the importance of hard work, and instilled in me values and discipline that stayed with me throughout my years. The foundation I received at both schools left an indelible impression on me, and prepared me for success in business and in life.” He credited the discipline and moral training of his Jesuit teachers as factors that helped him, the son of Irish immigrants who worked part-time at his father’s bar in Cambridge to help pay for his education, to become one of Orange County’s most successful high-tech leaders and real estate investors. Pat transformed the fine and performing arts program at BC High with his $12 million donation – the largest gift in our school’s history. His philanthropy enabled us to envision and build Cadigan Hall, a center for arts and recreation that provided additional studio space and a new gymnasium. 32
