Mathew Lanigan

Lanigan was born in 1964 in San Juan, Puerto Rico, to Donald and Margaret Hanna.^[2] He graduated Sarasota High School and the University of Central Florida, earning his bachelor's degree.^[2]

After several years as concierge manager at Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa in Orlando, Florida, he later became the owner of The Emporium, a store in Kennebunkport's Dock Square, for seventeen years.^[1] The business was named one of the top 100 retailers of the world by Swarovski.^[3]

He served on Kennebunkport's board of selectmen for eight years, including as its chair between 2007 and 2009.^[1]

Beginning in 1986, he volunteered to decorate the town for its annual Christmas Prelude, including stringing the lights on the tree, and the bridge separating Kennebunkport from neighboring Kennebunk.^[1] The bridge was named in his honor upon his death.^[4][5]

Lanigan died in 2012, aged 48,^[2] from complications from brain surgery performed eight days earlier. He was survived by his wife of ten years, Jennifer Lufkin,^[2] and three children.^[1]