Dermot Bartley Duggan, 76, of New Bedford passed away Monday, September 6, 2021 after a long battle with injuries he received during the Vietnam War.
Born on August 6, 1945 in New Bedford, Massachusetts, he was the son of the late Atty. Joseph C. Duggan and the late Helen Bartley Duggan.
He attended Holy Name Grammar school and several area high schools until he was eligible to enlist in the United States Marine Corps. He enlisted on July 28, 1964 and attained the rank of Sergeant on December 1, 1966 as fire team leader in the 1st Battalion, 9th Marines. In combat he sustained multiple injuries in a fire fight in the Quang Tri Province near the fire base at Khe Sanh. Dermot received the Vietnamese Service medal, National Defense Service medal, Vietnamese Campaign medal, Good Conduct medal and the Purple Heart medal. He was honorably discharged on September 24, 1968 at the Newport Naval hospital.
He received his Bachelor of Arts degree in English from Southeastern Massachusetts University (now UMass Dartmouth) where he was actively involved on campus securing assistance for Vietnam veterans. This subsequently led to his appointment as director of the New Bedford Veterans' Services office under Mayor Brian Lawler. He was later appointed to a Commonwealth of Massachusetts position for veterans affairs, however his injuries impeded his ability to perform his duties.
A voracious reader, Dermot enrolled at Trinity College in Dublin, Ireland to study Chaucer and Middle English which eventually landed a position as professor, teaching the English language to Italian Naval officers in Turin, Italy. Upon his retirement, he returned to New Bedford.
In his retirement, he volunteered his time at the Seamen's Bethel, which he thoroughly enjoyed. He had read Moby Dick at least a dozen times, including in Italian.
Dermot was a legacy member of the Friendly Sons of St. Patrick and a fervent New York Yankees fan.
He was predeceased by his parents; his sister, Margaret Ryckebusch; and his brother, Joseph C. Duggan.
He is survived by four nephews, a niece, and two cousins.
Private arrangements are under the direction of Saunders-Dwyer Home for Funerals. A celebration of his life will take place at a future date and his cremated remains will be laid to rest in the columbarium wall at Arlington National Cemetery. For online guestbook, visit www.saundersdwyer.com.