Obituary of Joel Berchman Colligan

Joel Berchman Colligan passed away Friday, December 11th, 2020 near his home in Singer, La. He was 36 years old. Born July 7th, 1984, he was the only son of Charles and Lydia Colligan and the only grandson of the late Dr. and Mrs. J.B. Colligan of Hackberry La. His maternal grandparents were Mr. and Mrs. J.O. Wingate of Bancroft, La. Joel was an intelligent individual with far-ranging interests. As a child, he played baseball, studied martial arts, and was active in 4-H. He developed a love of technology at an early age and enjoyed figuring out how electronic devices worked. Joel fed his appetite for learning by earning an associate's degree in process plant technology at the age of 18. He lived and worked in the Baton Rouge area and in Texas for several years afterward. Following the passing of his grandparents, Joel returned to southwest Louisiana to be near his remaining family. He later attended McNeese State University and was near to earning a degree in clinical psychology at the time of his passing. Joel filled his life with varied pastimes. He enjoyed riding his motorcycle through the countryside, competitive gaming, listening to a wide range of music and learning to play guitar, and as ever, tinkering with electronics. Joel's family will miss his quirky sense of humor, his quick mind, and his willingness to lend a helping hand. They will remember that he was a night owl whose brain never seemed to turn off, who went to the gym for a workout at 3 in the morning, and who expressed his caring in many little ways. It was Joel's wish to be cremated. In keeping with his private nature, he did not want any services to be held. Therefore, in lieu of flowers or plants, his family requests that donations be made on his behalf to the ASPCA or to Hobo Hotel in Lake Charles, La.