Obituary of Thomas J. Dugan

Dugan, Thomas J. Jr. 10.24.34 – 02.18.21 Tom was born in New York City to Anne Finan and Thomas Joseph Dugan Sr., the oldest of 8 children. After attending Manhattan Prep and graduating from Manhattan College in 1956, Tom moved to western New York to work for Bethlehem Steel where he was the Superintendent of the roll mill. Tom and Yvonne married in 1956 and were together a total of 69 years. Tom is survived by the Dugan clan of 9 children: Karen (Gordon) Reid, Thomas (Marge Habicht), Kathleen, Sean (Julie Bradshaw), Kevin, Peter (Cindy Parrish), Colleen, Lawrence (Lori Knightly), David (Colleen Lotempio), 25 grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren. Tom and Yvonne lived on Sharon Ave in Hamburg until they moved the family to Main St in Eden in 1968. Their homes were always filled with love and many of the neighborhood children. In the 1970s, Tom and Yvonne joined the Cursillo Movement of the Roman Catholic Church where Tom became a Rector leading weekend retreats. Many will remember Tom’s voice from the numerous years he served as Lector for Sunday mass at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church. A man of service to others, Tom spent several years as a Literacy Educator for inmates at the prison in Gowanda. After retiring from Bethlehem Steel, Tom bartended at the Hamburg Knights of Columbus where he was a lifetime member. Tom’s faith in God and his belief is service to others lead him to years of volunteering at St Luke’s Mission of Mercy in Buffalo. Many days would find Tom’s car, with its Kermit the Frog puppet in the window, in St Luke’s parking lot. St. Luke’s was Tom’s home away from home so much that the family joke became when he was moving in there. Whether working in the kitchen, serving food, sorting donations or driving people on errands, Tom’s love of the people at St Luke’s and their commitment to live in Christ gave his life extra meaning. He was humbled when asked to be Godfather to Joshua Bowman and Luke Hall and took that commitment seriously. His days at St Luke’s and the stories he shared from his time there brought laughter and joy to many. A good story always brought Tom joy. Whether it was a good Irish yarn or a really bad joke from a grandchild, he loved to hear them and he loved to tell them. A man of strong intellect, he found medical documentaries and science shows engaging and educational, believed in learning as a lifelong endeavor and loved conversation where he was challenged and could learn something new. Tom had a way of making you feel you were the most important person in the room. He had a never ending supply of love that he shared with his family and those with whom he came into contact. His love for Yvonne was a constant in his life and the words and meaning of ‘I love you’ and ‘God bless you’ were shared continually. Tom is also survived by his brothers George (BJ), and Joseph (Nancy) and sister Anne (David) Lee as well as a plethora of nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews, many of whom have a favorite Uncle Tom story. Tom’s family extends to all of those he loved at St Luke’s. May all of us be inspired to live lives of purpose and love as he did. Arrangements being handled by Laing Funeral Home, Eden, NY. A public viewing will be held Sunday, February 28, 2021 3:30 – 5:00 PM, limited family members will be present. Funeral Mass Friday, March 19, 2021, 10:00 AM at Immaculate Conception Church, Eden NY. All COVID-19 protocols, including participant restrictions, will be followed. Donations in Tom’s name to St. Luke’s Mission of Mercy, PO Box 448, Buffalo, NY 14215, gratefully accepted.