Thomas Duggan – age 86, husband of the late Diane M. (Romanoff) Duggan died peacefully Monday, March 25 at the Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston.
He was born in Brooklyn, NY, May 11, 1937, the son of the late John W. and Mary (Flynn) Duggan. He was raised in Long Island, NY and moved to Billerica in 1967.
Tom proudly served in the U.S. Navy, where he had a distinguished career of 30 years, achieving the rank of MMCS (SS) before his retirement in 1987. He was also employed by the Polaroid Corporation for 35 years and retired as a Plant Construction Trades Supervisor for the Waltham campus. He then joined his sons in business and had a successful 20-year third career with Shawsheen Air Services, Inc. in Chelmsford, Ma. before ‘retiring again’ at age 80. He was an extraordinarily capable individual and was a consummate leader, friend and trusted advisor to his family and vast network of friends and business associates.
He was an active member of the Billerica Lodge of Elks, VFW and numerous other Naval and Veterans organizations. He also served on many boards and steering committees throughout his long life and career. He was an avid reader and a lifelong learner and imprinted his thirst for knowledge upon his children at an early age, with frequent history and book-related trivia quizzes around the dinner table. He had an enduring passion for the sea and boating and loved nothing more than a long day on the water, followed by a cocktail at sunset. He spent his winters on the Gulf of Mexico in Florida and summers on Long Lake in Maine, all with his beloved wife Diane at his side. Their enjoyment of many shared passions set an example for how a rich, vibrant and engaged life should be lived. They were blessed with many deep friendships stemming from their various endeavors and experiences, which they treasured and maintained until their final days.
He is survived by his daughter, Patti Benjamin and her husband Lance, of Amherst, NH, son Tim Duggan and his wife Tina of Sunapee, NH and son Greg Duggan and his wife Michele of Pelham, NH. He is also survived by his five grandchildren Rebecca, TJ, Jack, Thomas and Averie.
A graveside service with Naval Honors will be held Saturday, March 30 at the Pine Ridge Cemetery, 130 Billerica Rd. at 10 a.m. Memorial contributions may be made in Tom’s name to the Susan G. Komen for the Cure, www.komen.org
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Graveside
30
Mar
130 Billerica Rd.
Chelmsford, MA 01824
