Obituary of John J. Dugan, Sr.

The Honorable John J. Dugan, Sr. age 86, passed away peacefully surrounded by his loving family on Tuesday, August 25, 2015 at Overlook Hospital in Summit, NJ. He was born on June 24, 1929 in Bayonne, NJ to Annie (nee Givens) and Michael G. Dugan both of whom emigrated from Dungloe in County Donegal, Ireland. Raised in Elizabeth, NJ, Judge Dugan graduated from St. Mary’s High School where he was a standout 3-sport athlete. He graduated from Seton Hall University with a degree in accounting and business and received his law degree from Fordham University. Judge Dugan lived with his family in Elizabeth before moving to Watchung and eventually retiring in Warren Township. He was a communicant of St. Mary’s Stony Hill Church in Watchung, NJ. Judge Dugan maintained a law practice for 38 years in Elizabeth and Watchung. He was the attorney for the Elizabeth Board of Adjustment, and was an Elizabeth City Councilman prior to his appointment as the municipal court judge for the City of Elizabeth. He also was a Union County Assistant Prosecutor under former Prosecutors Karl Asch and John Stamler. He was the attorney for the Borough of Watchung, the Somerset County Vocational Board of Education and the Somerset County Board of Elections, and was a member of the Union County, Somerset County and New Jersey State Bar Associations. Judge Dugan served his country in the United States Navy during the Korean conflict and was honorably discharged. After moving from Elizabeth to Watchung, he helped organize and was a charter member of the Watchung Hills Pop Warner Football program. He was instrumental in the refurbishing of the Phillips fields in Watchung coached youth baseball and basketball in Watchung, was a member of the Watchung Recreation Commission and a member of the Watchung Lions Club. He was also a founding member of the Union County Thornsticks, a supporter of the Union County Friendly Sons of St. Patrick and was extremely proud of his Irish heritage. Judge Dugan was a member of the Knights of Columbus Council 253 in Elizabeth and was very proud of his membership in the St. Mary’s Hilltopper Club. Predeceased by his wife of 58 years, Margaret J. (Jackie) Dugan in March, 2015, Judge Dugan is survived by his children Thomas (Cathy) of Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida, John (Maureen) of Westfield, NJ, Kathleen (Anthony) Rito of Warren Township, NJ, Michael (Debbie) of Branchburg, NJ, James (Jackie) of Chester, NJ and Patrick (Carolyn) of Flemington, NJ, 18 grandchildren, 2 great-grandchildren and his sister Nora O’Brien of Wyckoff, NJ. The family wishes to extend their deepest appreciation for the kind care and loving support provided by his caretakers, Jessica Hathaway and Mary Coleman. Visitation will be from 4:00 PM until 8:00 PM on Sunday, August 30, 2015 at the Higgins Home for Funerals, 752 Mountain Boulevard, Watchung, NJ. A mass of Christian burial will be offered on Monday, August 31, 2015 at 10:00 AM at St. Mary’s Church – Stony Hill, Mountain Boulevard, Watchung, NJ. Entombment to follow at St. Mary’s Cemetery, Plainfield Ave., Watchung, NJ. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that contributions be made to the St. Mary’s Athletic Association, 237 South Broad Street, Elizabeth, NJ 07202.