Obituary of James G. Duggan

James Gorman Duggan, 83, a longtime resident of Burlington, passed away after a period of declining health on Saturday, November 9, 2024.

Jim was born in Melrose on March 14, 1941 the son of the late John and Frances (Gorman) Duggan, he was educated in the Malden school system and graduated from Boys Catholic High School of Malden before furthering his education at Northeastern University.

While out sledding on a cold winter day, Jim met his future wife, Constance (Connie) Barratt. It was love at first sight.  At the age of 20, Jim married Connie prior to his enlistment into the United States Navy. Jim attained the rank of Chief Petty Officer 2^nd Class while serving aboard the U.S.S. John Paul Jones. Jim was aboard when the ship was deployed to the Bay of Pigs and the blockade of Cuba during the Cuban Missile Crisis.

After receiving his honorable discharge from the Navy, Jim and Connie moved to Burlington in 1968, where they would both become fixtures in the community.  Jim worked at Raytheon and also started his own firewood business at the family homestead on County Road.  Jim hosted many family parties and barrel parties that went deep into the night.  He loved to entertain and was a wonderful cook and host.  Whether it was a full Thanksgiving meal, dish for Christmas, or just a Sunday family dinner, Jim always had something delicious prepared. His kind hearted nature made him easy to love and his independent outgoing spirit brought people close to him. He enjoyed traveling to Florida and the Islands, playing cards with his friends, and horse races. In his golden years, he continued to cook and shared his cooking with the residents of the Birchcrest community.  He was very involved with his Birchcrest Community and served as president of the Birchcrest Association for many years.  He will be rememberd as a well-loved, hardworking man, that would help anyone that needed it.

Jim was predeceased by the love of his life, Connie (Barratt) Duggan, who passed in 2021; a son Michael Duggan, who passed in 2004; as well as two of his brothers, John F. Duggan of Burlington and Patrick Duggan of Revere; and sister in law Karen Duggan.

He is survived by his son James Duggan and his wife Christine of Tampa, FL, his grandchildren Jennifer Cassanos, Marissa Duggan, and Connor Duggan, great grandchild, Kaitlyn Cassanos, siblings Caroline Smithers and her husband Richard of Billerica, George Duggan of Billerica, Eileen Kimber and her husband Jerry of Fitchburg, Joseph Duggan and his wife Joy of Tewksbury; sister-in-law, Gail Duggan of Revere, as well as many other nieces, nephews, and close friends.

Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend his Mass of Christian Burial on Friday, November 15 at 10 am at St. Margaret’s Church in St. Veronica’s Parish 111 Winn St. Burlington. Burial with Military Honors will follow in Chestnut Hill Cemetery, Burlington. In lieu of flowers, contributions in his memory may be made to Tunnel to Towers Foundation at t2t.org.