Terry Kerrigan

Terence Patrick Kerrigan died Monday May 25, 2026. He was born in Syracuse on December 16, 1946, as the child of Bernard and Margaret Kerrigan. Terry, known as “Tree” by many of his friends and associates, was a loving son and brother, a caring husband and father who became a committed and adoring grandfather and great-grandfather. He was also the most loyal of friends and still enjoyed regular phone calls and correspondence from childhood acquaintances he’d maintained for 65+ years. Terry had the opportunity to forge many of those relationships through his participation in both football and basketball throughout an accomplished high school career in both sports. If you caught him at the right time over a cocktail, he might share the hilarious and always entertaining details of his high school journey from CBA to Nottingham, and to ultimately finish up his career at Jamesville-Dewitt. He was the transfer-portal poster child before it was fashionable. He then attended and played basketball at Paul Smith’s College before joining the United States Air Force for a stint that had him stationed at bases in both Germany and Idaho. After an honorable discharge from the military, he returned home to Syracuse and began a career in the transportation industry that would develop over time and ultimately allow him to start and operate his own company TRE Unlimited, that he ran successfully until his retirement in 2017. 

In 1978 he met and married the former Diane Rittel and they remained happily married for 41 years until her death following a long illness in 2019. Terry’s true loving and caring nature and loyalty were on full display as he cared for Diane throughout the length of her extended challenges.

Terry was all about family and friends and enjoyed all the shared experiences while pursuing his passions. He loved spending time at Fawn Point, the family camp in Old Forge situated on Twin Ponds. He was a world class grill master, dedicated to a Weber kettle grill and charcoal technique, and loved to sip a cocktail and execute always perfectly prepared meals for his guests. He was a dedicated follower of SU athletics and a decades long season ticket holder for both football and basketball. Above all things, Tree was a golfer. He followed in his father’s footsteps as an accomplished player. He was a member at Cavalry Club in Manlius for almost 50 years. Like his father, he won a Club Championship there and had multiple Member/Guest successes over the years. For 25 years he also organized and hosted the “The Tree Golf Classic” up at Thendara Golf Club outside Old Forge. It was a hotly contested 2-day Pro-Am of sorts every September and inclusion was limited and highly coveted, if you were invited you made time for it in your calendar. His ability to play the game well coupled with his ability to forge strong personal relationships afforded him opportunities to play on some of the greatest courses in the world including The Old Course at St. Andrews in Scotland, Ballybunion and Old Head in Ireland, Pebble Beach, Oak Hill, Medalist, Merion, Seminole, and Pine Valley along with many more world class venues. He was always appreciative of the opportunities and humble about the experience. 

The final thing that tells you who he was and what he prioritized in life is the fact that with all his successes and a life’s worth of elite experiences, the golf event he was most excited about and proud of was winning was the Cavalry Club Father/Son Tournament with his grandson Ryan. While other awards and memorabilia always made their way into closets and onto basement shelves, that trophy along with a picture of the 2 of them from that day remained proudly displayed on his living room mantle for all visitors to observe until his final day.

He is survived by his brother Brian Kerrigan, sister Christal Kerrigan, daughter Christine Fero (Michael), grandchildren Ryan and Megan, and great-grandchildren Emerson,Tanner, Mason and Layne. He will be deeply missed.

Calling hours will be held on Monday, June 1, 2026 from 4-6 pm at Burns Garfield Funeral Home 3175 E. Gensee St. Syracuse. A Funeral Mass will be held on Tuesday, June 2, at 11 am at Holy Cross Church, 4412 E. Genesee St Dewitt.