COVENTRY — Father John J. Duggan, 89, Priest of the Diocese of Ossory, Ireland, and longtime priest-in-residence at Saints John and Paul Parish, Coventry, passed away at the rectory on Thursday, Nov. 4, 2021.
Born in County Kilkenny, he was the beloved son of the late Richard and Molly (O’Gorman) Duggan, and attended St. Kieran’s College and Maynooth Seminary in preparation for the priesthood. He was ordained a priest on June 17, 1956.
In his early priesthood, Father Duggan taught Greek and Latin at St. Kieran’s College. He received his Master’s Degree in education and Ph.D. in counseling from Boston College in the 1970s, and also at this time served as Chaplain to the Pittsburgh Steelers during their string of Super Bowl victories. Returning to Ireland to serve in several parish assignments, in 1983 he began serving as Chaplain at Salve Regina University, Newport. In 1997, Father Duggan moved into SS. John and Paul Parish to assist at the parish. For the past 24 years, Fr. JD has been well loved by his parishioners. He will be sadly missed.
Father Duggan is survived by his brothers Thomas, Richard, and Michael Duggan, all of Kilkenny; his sister Anne Brereton of Norwich England; and his sister and caregiver Sr. Vincent Mary Duggan of Dublin; many nieces, nephews, grandnieces and nephews, and countless friends from the US and Ireland. He was brother of the late Father Nicholas Duggan of the Diocese of Sacramento. Father Duggan family wishes to thank Fr. Woolley, Renee Johnson, the Rectory staff, and all who cared for him in his final days.
A Concelebrated Mass of Christian Burial was offered Thursday, Nov. 11, at SS. John and Paul Church with a private burial at St. Joseph Cemetery, West Greenwich, scheduled for a later date.
In lieu of flowers, donations to SS. John and Paul Parish, 341 South Main St., Coventry, RI, 02816, or Our Lady of Providence Seminary 485 Mt. Pleasant Ave., Providence RI, 02908, in his memory would be appreciated.
