Hon. Joseph F. Deegan Jr.

Hon. Joseph F. Deegan, Jr.

AGE: 91 • Perth Amboy

Hon. Joseph F. Deegan, Jr., 91, died peacefully in his home surrounded by family on 3 December 2015. A lifelong resident of Perth Amboy, NJ. Proud third generation Irish, he graduated from St. Mary's High School, Perth Amboy class of 1941.

He commenced his studies at the College of the Holy Cross, class of '45, in the early months of the entrance of the United States into the Second World War. Enlisting in the V-1 Program of an accelerated pace of studies and Navy ROTC training, graduating a year early to serve in the Navy. He was, in short order, commissioned an ensign, jokingly referring to himself with his rushed commission as a "90 day wonder". Denied his first choice of submarine service, he trained at Melville, RI as a PT Boat skipper before shipping out to the Pacific. He and his crew ran missions in the Philippines aboard the fast, lethal 80 foot plywood PT boats designed, as was their crew, to be "expendable". His career in the active Navy and Reserves would continue for over 28 years, retiring with the rank of Commander, USNR; serving as Chief of Staff of the Officers of the Naval Reserve Center in Perth Amboy.

The post war years saw him graduating Boston College Law School, passing the Bar in 1951. Returning to Perth Amboy he joined what would become known as the law firm of Deegan, Richards, Deegan of which his father, retired Navy Captain Joseph F. Deegan was senior partner. He practiced law for the next 16 years until his nomination as Middlesex County judge in 1968. Eventually appointed as Superior Court judge, a position from which he would retire after 25 years on the bench. His belief of the Judiciary deriving its power ultimately from the people manifested itself in his willingness to officiate weddings on days off, even as he sat capital case during the work week. Frequently, as the need arose, the family dining room became a late night courtroom for emergency legal decisions; the call to order sounding at 1 am or later.

The judge was for most of his life a passionate sailor, born, literally in the building abutting the clubhouse of the Raritan Yacht Club. He was a pleasure sailor, as well as, a competitive one design racer until late in life on his beloved Raritan Bay, where his knowledge of the wind and tides was deeply ingrained.

In addition, a dedication to community service found him involved throughout his life in numerous organizations. A partial listing has him as former President of the Kiwanis Club, member of the Perth Amboy Board of Education, President, Board of Managers of NJ Hospital at Marlboro. Much of his energy in later years had him active in the local VFW, Sgt. John Egan Post where he helped effect the installation of a monument honoring World War Two veterans in a local park.

Judge Deegan is survived by his wife of 63 years, Mary, and children Jeff, Maura, Sarah Jane and Sheila, as well as 5 grandchildren and his sister Catherine Ann.

A wake will be held at Flynn and Son, 424 East Ave., Perth Amboy, Tuesday, December 8, 2015 from 2-4pm & 7-9 pm. Funeral services will be held 9:30 am on Wednesday followed by a 10 am mass at Blessed John Paul II Parish of St. Stephen's Church, Perth Amboy. Burial will be at St. Mary's Cemetery in Perth Amboy. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Loyola Retreat House, Morristown, NJ. To send a message of condolence please visit our website at www.flynnfuneral.com.