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John Duggan Obituary
WORCESTER - John A. Duggan, M.D., 92, a pediatrician in Worcester for over fifty years, died on October 8, 2015 at St. Vincent Hospital after a brief illness.
He was born in Rockland, MA, the son of John and Helene Duggan. A graduate of Boston College and Harvard Medical School, he received postgraduate training at Bellevue Hospital in New York City and Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston. After military service during the Korean War, he opened a pediatric practice in Worcester. In the 1970's he established pediatric services at the Fallon Clinic. He served as President of both the Clinic and the Fallon Community Health Plan. He volunteered for many years as a pediatrician at the McAuley/Nazareth Home for Boys.
Dr. Duggan was Professor of Pediatrics, Emeritus at the University of Massachusetts Medical School. During the early years of the school, he served as acting Chairman of the Department of Pediatrics. He was a member of the New England Pediatric Society, which he served as President, the Worcester District Medical Society, and the Massachusetts Medical Society. He held appointments to the staff of St. Vincent Hospital, UMass Memorial Hospital, Massachusetts General Hospital, and the former Worcester City Hospital. He was a reviewer for the National Committee for Quality Assurance and an examiner for credentials for United Health Care.
At the time of his death, he was a member of the Diocesan Review Committee, a board member of the Fairlawn Foundation and Acclaim Home Health Care. He had previously served as a Corporator of the former Peoples Savings Bank, a Director of the former Mechanics Bank, and a Corporator of the Worcester Art Museum. He was a member of the Buck's Creek Yacht Club.
He is survived by his wife Catherine of 65 years, his five children Mary Kate Thompson (Michael) of Silver Spring, MD; Martha Duggan of Arlington, VA; Christina O'Donnell (Michael) of San Diego, CA; John J. Duggan (Mary Beth) of Worcester, MA; Christopher P. Duggan, M.D. (Deborah) of Newton, MA; 14 grandchildren; and two great grandchildren.
A wake will be held Sunday, October 11, from 4 to 6 p.m. in the Athy Memorial Home, 111 Lancaster St., Worcester. The funeral will be Monday, October 12, from the funeral home with a Mass at 11 a.m. in Blessed Sacrament Church, 555 Pleasant St., Worcester. Burial in St. John's Cemetery will be private.
In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to Blessed Sacrament Church, 551 Pleasant St., Worcester, MA, 01602 or The McAuley/Nazareth Home for Boys, 77 Mulberry St., Leicester, MA, 01524.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
February 25, 2016
Dr. Duggan was a legend in his field. My mother often spoke highly of him and his care towards all 7 of her children. I can see the bow tie and that smile coming thur the door.... Rest in peace my friend.
The Turpin family
Jay Clifford
November 21, 2015
I remember Dr Duggan giving me injections when I was a kid and he used to say on the count of three I would get it and he always gave it on 1 and the next time I would say you said 3 and you gave it on 1 and he said not this time on 3 and sure enough it was 1 again ha--i was telling the pharmacist yesterday when I got my flu shot and it made me laugh. I bet it worked I was a screaming kid and did not want any needles! I remember the bow tie, the glasses and the white shirt and all the kids in the waiting room waiting to see him.- that was mid 50's on Pleasant Street in Worcester at Newton Square.
Margaret Noyes
October 27, 2015
So sorry to hear of the community's great loss. My pediatrican, even before he joined Fallon. Midge and Jay picked him for all of us.
My thoughts are with you Kay and the family,
Meg Manning Noyes
Bill Philbrick
October 12, 2015
Dear Kay and family,
We are so sorry for your lose. His passing will also be a loss to the community and to all who knew him. He truly left his mark and was an example to all. Our prayers are with you.
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October 12, 2015
John and Family
Heartfelt condolences at this sad time. Please know that I have you in my prayers.
Beth Sachs
Evelyn (Graves) Blake
October 12, 2015
Dear Mrs. Duggan, My thoughts are with you and your family at this sad time. We knew each other many years ago when you were at Catholic Charities where I adopted my son. I have ever forgotten you.
Mary Ann and Paul Franco
October 11, 2015
Dear Duggan Family,
We were sorry to read about your father (grandfather's) recent death. He sounds like he was a wonderful, talented and kind man who touched many lives. You were blessed to have him in your life for so many years. We will keep your family in our thoughts and prayers.
Morris Spierer
October 11, 2015
A very big loss to the Worcester community. He was the pediatrician of all our children and a true friend
Terry Flotte
October 11, 2015
Dr. John Duggan provided critical leadership to the community of pediatricians in Worcester and to the University of Massachusetts Medical School Department of Pediatrics during its formative years. Most importantly, he served the children and families of Central Massachusetts for decades. We are forever in his debt.
Betsy Nesbitt
October 11, 2015
I have excellent memories of Dr. Duggan. My thoughts are with you.
Otto for the Burbank Coontz family
October 10, 2015
We will always hold a special place in our hearts for the dear Doctor, who took care of the six children of Gus and Clare McSheehy-Coontz throughout adolescence for everything from measles and mumps, to just being present on the last day of our youngest sister's life. Wherever you may be, John, should you cross paths with our precious Eppy again, let her know how very much we miss her.
TERESA CHIAPULIS
October 10, 2015
I KNEW OF DR. J. DUGGAN I WORKED IN SURGERY AT THE OLD ST. VINCENT'S UP ON THE HILL I KNEW OF DR. DUGGAN'S REPUTATION.
October 10, 2015
Chris, Deb, Michael, Brendan and Emily - We were so sorry to hear about the passing of Chris' dad. Our thoughts are with you! Sam, Cindee, Evan and Genevieve
Melvin Rosenblatt
October 10, 2015
A mentor both in business and personally.
A dear friend and a great human being.
October 10, 2015
Dr. Duggan was our family pediatrician many years ago. I remember him making house calls when we were sick, as well as going to his office for check ups. I've always remembered how nice he was. My sincere condolences to the Duggan family.
John Killion
October 9, 2015
It was a honor to serve under him in 1962-63 as a rotating intern, and also
1966-68 as a chief pediatric resident. He was a very wise man both as a pediatrician and pediatric administration. I would have selected to work with he and Dr. Riordan in 1968 except that I wished to return to my home town area. I greatly admired this wonderful man of many talents.
robin errede
October 9, 2015
My friend and longtime colleague, John and family. My heart is holding yours. We have talked about both the personal and professional impact your father had on me and so many of us. For me my 40 years working at FC/Reliant, I was blessed to know him. Robin Errede and family.
October 9, 2015
Love and fond memories--professionally and personally --especially to Martha. Love, Nancy Burns.
Angelo Mirabile
October 9, 2015
My condolences to the Duggan family and close friends.
Angelo Mirabile SVH / Maintenance & Engineering
Nancianne Warren
October 9, 2015
John, Caitlin, Jed and the entire Duggan family,
My thoughts and prayers our with you. He was a force of nature and inspiration to all!
Donald Norgren
October 9, 2015
He was a wonderful doctor, took care of all my kids.
Nancy Nesbitt
October 9, 2015
To all of the Duggan clan: John was a wonderful influence in our lives, both as our childrens' pediatrician and as a great neighbor. I remember the time when both kids were quite young and sick with bronchitis and ear infections. I had strep throat and was miserable enough to be stuck in bed while Chris tried to hold down the fort. On a Sunday morning John stopped at the house to see how we were doing, came up to our bedroom, took one look at me in bed, called in a prescription to Tech Pharmacy for antibiotics for me, then went and picked up the medicine and brought it back to the house. I could tell many more tales like that, but suffice it to say that our son is now finishing up medical school; his high regard for Dr. Duggan through his own childhood surgeries, procedures, and illnesses contributed in large part to his decision to become a doctor himself. John was such a wise and wonderful friend, and we send our most sincere condolences to you all. We will miss him.
October 9, 2015
John,
We are so sorry for the loss of your father. He will always be with you.
Take care, Dennis and Eileen Dumont
Nicole Capuano
October 9, 2015
John,
I'm so sorry to hear of your dad's passing. Thinking of you and your family during this difficult time.
Mike Allen
October 9, 2015
A life well lived.
October 9, 2015
I am so sorry to hear of Dr. Duggan's death. I had the pleasure of working with him at Fallon Clinic. He was one of my favorites. My heartfelt condolences to you. Godspeed Dr. Duggan.
Shelley Glockner
Dr. Timothy Hoffman
October 8, 2015
Thank you for serving our country. May your family find comfort in their faith and may you Rest in Peace.Add a message (optional)
Carol Brown
October 8, 2015
Our thoughts and prayers are with you all and we share warm memories of his no-nonsense wisdom. God bless!
October 8, 2015
Our condolences, John Morrill & Diane Canova.
Jim, Lyn, Rafael Gray
October 8, 2015
Lyn, Jim, and Rafael Gray want to express our sympathies to the family and friends of Dr. John Duggan. He lived long. He lived well. He served humanity. He had a wonderful family, and that is a great testament to the lives of both John and Catherine. He will never be forgotten because he left behind so many wonderful memories with everyone he touched. In John Donne immortal words, "Any man's death diminishes me, because I am involved in mankind; and therefore never send to know for whom the bell tolls; it tolls for thee." We will miss him
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