Stephen Henry Gilligan

Stephen Henry Gilligan, 83, of Bryans Road, Maryland passed away peacefully in his sleep on Tuesday, October 7, 2025.

Steve dedicated his life to mentoring those around him as a father, uncle, grandfather, teacher, coach, and friend. He was born on January 7th, 1942, in Wilkes-Barre, PA, the son of the late Maurice T. Gilligan, Sr. and Mary Louise (Sherman) Gilligan. Raised in Dunmore, PA, Steve graduated from Scranton Preparatory School before receiving his teaching degree from Scranton University.

As an educator, he had a profound impact on thousands of students.  He began his 49 years of teaching in Jersey City, New Jersey before moving to Maryland. There he found his lifelong love for wrestling at Northwestern High School as the assistant wrestling coach. When the opportunity arose, he moved to Oxon Hill High School to take over as head wrestling coach. He helped develop and mentor many young people in the classroom and on the mat. He spent his final years in Prince George’s County at Potomac High School before finishing his teaching career at Lackey High School in Charles County, a school very dear to his heart.

Steve loved all sports, but especially football, basketball, wrestling, and baseball. He spent his weekends either on a field, in a gym or watching his beloved Nittany Lions or Fighting Irish on TV. He was an integral part of the Western Charles Skyhawks Youth Organization where he coached football and wrestling. He also coached baseball and softball for Bryans Road Little League. He was a firm, but fair, coach who developed many young athletes. He taught them a love and respect for the game while pushing them to be their best selves. After his children were grown, and his years of coaching behind him, he remained in the stands watching his sons coach and his grandchildren play.

In addition to his parents, Steve was predeceased by his two sisters, Catherine Zambrycki and Jeanne Bond; his brother Maurice (Whitey) Gilligan; his beloved children Mary Gilligan, Travis Gilligan, and Kevin Gilligan. He is survived by his devoted wife of 48 years, Patricia Gilligan; his children Stephen Gilligan, Molly Wilson (Zach), and Debi Gilligan (Travis); his loving niece Laurie Matthews (Tim); his five grandchildren; Adrienne Gilligan Smith (Jason), Kaela Gilligan, Michael Gilligan, Brooklyn Wilson, and Moira Wilson; his three great grandsons; Dominick Gilligan, Vincent Smith, and Caleb Smith; and many nieces and nephews.

In life Steve always encouraged everyone to live life to its fullest, just like he tried to do. He signed every email with the following quotation from Mark Twain, "Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn't do than by the ones you did do." We will greatly miss the legend that he was on Earth, but his was a life well lived.

The viewing will take place Friday, October 17th from 6:00-8:00pm at Arehart-Echols Funeral Home, LaPlata MD. A Funeral Mass will take place Saturday, October 18th at 11am at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, LaPlata MD.

Online condolences may be shared with the family at arehartechols.com

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Stephen Henry Gilligan, please visit our floral store.