Francis Xavier Gavigan, 88, passed away to be with the Lord on October 22, 2017. Mr. Gavigan was born in Philadelphia, PA where, after serving in the Air Force in Panama as a surveyor, graduated from La Salle College and, subsequently, earned a Masters Degree in Radiological Physics at the University of Rochester. He worked for the Department of Energy and the Atomic Energy Commission for 33 years. He was an enthusiastic supporter of the development of a new generation of nuclear reactors which had a high degree of passive safety characteristics. After his government career, he was employed by the Argonne National Laboratory as Manager of the New Production Office Support Office in Washington, D.C. Mr. Gavigan was a long-time member of the Masterworks Chorus. He also enjoyed jogging, golfing, traveling and reading. Active in the Catholic Church for many years, he served with his late wife, Gloria, as Regional Director of the Christian Family Movement in Naperville, IL. In his parish of St. Francis of Assisi in Derwood, MD, he served as a lector, spiritual affairs committee member, chairman of the Parish Council, and with wife Rita, Co-Chairperson for public relations for Renew. The joy of his life was his large family, which came about after the death of his first wife, Gloria. He and Gloria were blessed with five wonderful children. After her death, God intervened and he met and married Rita Hurley of Reston, VA, who had been widowed. She also had five wonderful children. With the marriage of each of these children and subsequent arrival of grandchildren and great grandchildren, the family has expanded to 66. This large family has been the source of considerable happiness and enjoyment, and he regarded it as another gift from God. Mr. Gavigan is survived by his wife, Rita Marie Lorenz Gavigan; children, Pamela Miller, spouse Bob of Williamsport, MD, Eileen Pagano, spouse Mark of Hummelstown, PA, Frank Gavigan, Jr., spouse Karen of Columbia, SC, Timothy Hurley, spouse Sarah of Greenville, SC, Brian Gavigan, spouse Ronda of High Point, NC, Maura Gorzela, spouse Andrew of Wildwood, MO, Thomas Hurley, spouse Vicky of Gaithersburg, MD, Mary Pat Peabody, spouse George of Annapolis, MD, and Megan McCarter, spouse David of Greenville, SC.; daughter-in-law, Cheryl Hurley of Leesburg, VA; sister, Rita Browne of Saratoga, CA; grandchildren, Emily Strunk, spouse Joshua, Robert Miller Jr, spouse Melissa, Caroline Miller, Timothy Miller, Willard Hurley III, spouse, Heather, Daniel Hurley, spouse Jenilee, Sarah MacFarlane, spouse Kevin, Megan Jones, spouse Rivers, Sean Pagano, spouse Laurie, Brian Pagano, spouse, Sohayla, James Pagano, spouse Laura, John Gavigan, Matthew Gavigan, Jack Gavigan, Quint Peabody, Liam Peabody, Rory Peabody, Michael Gorzela, Tess Gorzela, Annie Hurley, Gabrielle Cristiano, Abby McCarter, Patrick McCarter, Emily Ann McCarter; and 15 great grandchildren. In addition to his parents, John and Margaret Gavigan, and his wife, Gloria Gavigan, he was preceded in death by his son, Willard Hurley Jr.; sister, Catherine Mary Dunn; and two brothers, John Gavigan and Mark Gavigan. The viewing will be Wednesday, October 25, 2017 from 6 to 8 pm at Minnich Funeral Home, 415 E. Wilson Blvd., Hagerstown, MD. Prayers will be at 7 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Thursday, October 26, 2017 at 10:30am at St. Mary Catholic Church, 224 West Washington Street, Hagerstown, MD. The Rev. Lawrence Adamczyk will be celebrant. Burial will immediately follow in Rose Hill Cemetery, with military honors. Memorial donations may be made to the Wounded Warrior Project, PO Box 758517, Topeka, KS 66675.