John C. Hartigan

Mr. John C. Hartigan, 67, of Canyon Country, CA, passed away on Thursday, November 7, 2024. Born in Pittsfield, MA, son of the late William and Margaret Knight Hartigan, he graduated from New Lebanon High with the class of 1976. For the majority of his career, John worked as a special effects coordinator/supervisor. He worked in the Entertainment Industry for over 45 years, doing practical special effects. After moving to Hollywood, John built his own special effects company, Ultimate Effects. In his early years in the business, he worked on the Muppet Movie, to the sheer delight of his beloved nieces and nephews. He was most recently employed in Hawaii by Eye Productions on Hawaii Five-O and Magnum PI and Bad Dog Productions, working on the live action Lilo and Stitch. Among many things, he was passionate about his job, especially when it involved pyrotechnics. He loved being at the cottage on Queechy Lake, spending time with family, friends and his dogs, snowmobiling, antiquing, and was an avid foodie. John is survived by his beloved wife of 32 years, Beverley (McLeish) Hartigan, and their children, Shayne Hartigan (Xander Dehne) of Albuquerque, NM; Dylon Hartigan of Atlanta, GA; and Hailey Hartigan of Los Angeles, CA. He also leaves his daughters from a previous marriage, Heather Hartigan of Portland, OR and Cassandra Tetslaff (Travis) of Santa Rosa, CA and his grandchildren, Faith and Emily. John is also survived by his sisters, MaryEllen Warkentin (Donald), Margaret McAvoy, Kathleen Leaman (John), and Elizabeth Becker, and his sister-in-law Gail Hartigan and Karin Bruce. Additionally, he leaves behind 18 nieces and nephews and 19 great nieces and nephews. Besides his parents, John was predeceased by his brothers, William C. Hartigan and Thomas Knight Hartigan, his brother in Law, Adrian J. McLeish, his nephew, Michael P. Hartigan, and his niece, Joanna M. Hartigan. Celebration of Life: A celebration of life will be held this Saturday May 24, 2025, at Shatford Memorial Park, Route 22 North, New Lebanon, NY 12125 NY starting at 11am and ending at 2pm. In lieu of flowers, donations in John’s memory can be made to the Motion Picture and Television Fund, https://mptf.com/donate/, please choose Compassionate Care Fund under the Gift Designation.

John C. Hartigan

June 1, 1957 - November 7, 2024