Joseph E. Duggan, age 87, beloved husband of the late Helen A. (Chappelle) Duggan died peacefully on Wednesday, July 2, at Lahey Hospital and Medical Center in Burlington after a period of declining health.
He was born in Boston, April 21, 1938 a son of the late Edward and Johanna (Loughry) Duggan (Galway, Ireland) and lived in Charlestown, MA before moving to Billerica, MA 55 years ago.
Joe graduated from Don Bosco High School in Boston with the class of 1956 and immediately joined the USMC where he went on to serve during the Vietnam War Era attaining the rank of Corporal.
After his military service Joe joined the Boston Fire Department and went on to have a 33-year career retiring as a Captain on Rescue 1. He then continued his pursuit of helping others by going to work for Fire Tech and Safety in Tyngsboro for 15 years helping to outfit fire departments with the latest laser and thermal imaging cameras as well as other safety equipment.
He is survived by one son, Joseph Duggan Jr., and his wife Mary of Billerica, three daughters, Denise Maniscalco of Winthrop, Jill Morris of Chelmsford and Cheryl Dornan of Old Orchard Beach, Maine; one brother Walter Duggan of Charlestown; 11 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren, Cruz, Amelia, and Hayden. He was the brother of the late James Gallagher.
Joe will always be remembered for the love he had for his wife and family, along with the devotion he had to his career as a Boston firefighter and his unwavering sense of humor. He may have left the stage, but he left us with a standing ovation!
Visiting hours will be held Monday, July 7, at the Sweeney Memorial Funeral Home, 66 Concord Rd., Billerica from 4 – 7 p.m. A Funeral Mass will be held Tuesday, July 8 at St. Matthew the Evangelist Parish in St. Theresa Church, 466 Boston Rd., Billerica at 12 noon. Relatives and friends respectfully invited. Burial in Fox Hill Cemetery, Billerica In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Boston Fire Department Relief Fund.
Previous Events
Visitation
7
Jul
66 Concord Road
Billerica, MA 01821
Funeral Mass
8
Jul
466 Boston Rd.
Billerica, MA 01821
Burial
8
Jul
130 Andover Rd.
Billerica, MA 01821
