DEAR SUN SPOTS: I wanted to thank you for connecting me to various people and sending me irreplaceable, priceless information, letters and pictures regarding my father, Thomas Kerrigan. (August 2024 Sun Spots).

I also want to thank Sun Spotters who continue to answer the call when people have questions going unanswered. If anything, Sun Spots has taught me that we still have a community that cares in times that feel so discouraging. Our country grows more disconnected each day and Sun Spots renews my faith that there’s still hope for our community. — Brandon, no town

ANSWER: I’m so touched that Brandon has followed up with us. Back in August 2024, he wrote the letter below then there were responses from another Sun Spotter, Dave. 

Because Dave took the time to respond to a fellow Sun Spotter, tangible memories of Brandon’s father were discovered and mailed to Brandon. 

Many times, the Sun Spots column has connected family members and friends, thanks to our faithful readers. 

From August 2024: 

DEAR SUN SPOTS: I’m asking our community for a favor. My father, Thomas Kerrigan, owned Wade & Dunton. He passed away during my time in the service around 2003, and I don’t have a lot to remember him by. Is there anyone out there who has any company memorabilia (I don’t really know what else to call it), especially any items that may have his name on them? It’s doubtful, I know, but if any photos of him exist, they would be priceless to me. 

Thank you to anyone able to point me in a direction to find out more. — Brandon, no town

ANSWER: Have you looked at the Sun Journal archives (https://www.sunjournal.com/archive-access/ ) for photos and articles? You could also check out the Androscoggin Historical Society, the City of Lewiston (https://www.lewistonmaine.gov/ ), Maine State Library (https://www.maine.gov/msl/ ), Bates College  (https://www.bates.edu/library/ ), and University of Maine (https://library.umaine.edu/), and the Maine Memory Network (https://www.mainememory.net/). 

Then there are our Sun Spotters who are always so helpful. If you have any tips for Brandon, please write to me! 

DEAR SUN SPOTS: This is in reference to the person seeking information about his father, Thomas Kerrigan, that was in the Aug. 20 Sun Spots. 

There was a Thomas Martin Kerrigan who was born on February 1, 1919, in Lewiston and died in Lewiston on April 13, 2004. He was a graduate of Lewiston High School in 1947. 

He married Lucille Parent on October 25, 1943. He was a World War II Veteran serving in the United States Navy from February 8, 1943, to December 3, 1945. 

My source of information with pictures came from Ancestry.com, MyHeritage.com, and the 1937 edition of the Lewiston High School yearbook, which is available to view at the Lewiston Public Library. 

The sports team pictures that were in the yearbook do not include the names of the individuals. One would need to help identify them from his class picture .— Dave, no town

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