Worcester — Joseph T. Duggan, "Pops", "Grampa Joe", 72, of 16 William St. died Thursday, April 28, at home after a short illness.
He leaves his wife, Laura Nieuwenhoff of Holden, five sons, Joe III of Worcester, John of Florida, Herb, Rich and Pat, all of Worcester, two sisters, Barbara Rich of N.H. and Judy Plikunas of Worcester, and a brother, Bob of Florida, four grandchildren and several nieces and nephews. He also leaves good friends, Stanley Lindquist and Sharyn Lovely. His soul now rejoins those gone before him, including his former wife Marie, precious daughter Patty Ann, grandson Matthew Duggan and fellow Marines — especially those with whom he served in the Korean Conflict.
Joe graduated from Boys Trade, focusing on carpentry and painting. He loved playing on his high school football team, and was a member of the the undefeated team of 1950.
After serving his country as a Marine in Korea, he worked for Dalco Construction Co. and Alex Johns & Sons as a carpenter for many years. He was among the fortunate few who earn their living doing what they truly love. It is no exaggeration to say that he was known throughout the area for doing "the impossible." He always loved to slip in, do a job for someone in need and then be gone. Though his eyesight failed him in his later years, he still loved to work with wood.
Sports played a large roll in Joe's life. Besides football, he enjoyed coaching little league baseball. Beaver Brook was his home base as a coach, and he served many years as the President of the Worcester Little League. He always enjoyed giving children experiences they might not otherwise have. One that come to mind involves his son Joe and himself giving helicopter rides to the kids at the Nazereth Home in Leicester. Such was the heart of Joe.
The funeral will be on Wednesday, May 4 from the Alfred Roy & Sons Funeral Home 12 Hammond Street with a mass at 10 AM in Blessed Sacrament Church, 555 Pleasant Street. Burial will be in Worcester County Memorial Park, Paxton. Calling hours are Tuesday, May 3 from 5 to 8 PM in the funeral home. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to American Heart Association, New England Affiliate, 20 Speen Street, Framingham, MA 01701 and Massachusetts Veterans Shelter, 69 Grove Street, Worcester, MA 01605