Attorney James McGuigan of Santa Ana Dies at Age 58
James McGuigan, a prominent attorney and husband of Santa Ana City Councilwoman Patricia A. McGuigan, died Thursday after suffering a cerebral hemorrhage a day earlier. He was 58.
McGuigan was born in Tuscumbia, Ala., grew up in the Philadelphia area and was a graduate of both Pennsylvania State University and Western State College of Law.
Once a computer analyst for the city, he spent the past 10 years in private legal practice, specializing in civil law, according to his wife.
A 30-year resident of Santa Ana, McGuigan was a member of American Legion Post 131 and served for several years as chairman of Santa Ana’s cable television advisory board.
In 1985, he opposed a plan, later adopted by the City Council, to relieve the city’s cable franchise holder, Group W Cable Inc., from several obligations after the firm claimed it could not make a profit. In 1988, he provoked controversy by asking City Council candidates not to accept campaign contributions from the firm until after the city resolved its disputes with the cable firm.
Besides his wife, McGuigan is survived by two daughters, Christine McGuigan and Michelle Norton, both of Santa Ana; two sons, Stephen of Santee and Dennis of Anaheim Hills; four grandchildren; a brother, and a sister.
Services will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday at Waverley Church, Fairhaven Memorial Park, Santa Ana.
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