Joseph E. Dugan Sr., 72, Brockton native and decorated Vietnam veteran, died peacefully on August 10, 2023 at the Veterans Affairs hospital in Brockton, Massachusetts. He was born on August 15, 1950 to Mary C. (Anderson) Dugan and Leo J. Dugan Jr.
As a child, Joseph enjoyed riding and caring for his horse, which he named Little Winnie. He also took interest in hobbies such as caring for his pets, fishing, listening to music, sports, and road trips with his former wife to DisneyWorld. At nineteen years of age, he enlisted in the U.S. Army. During his time in the U.S. Army, he served in Southeast Asia on a reactionary force, which included running convoys alongside his brother, John Dugan, who was less than one year younger than him.
He also went on to receive several awards for his expertise, service, and bravery. These awards include a Vietnam Service Medal with two bronze service stars, a Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, a National Defense Service Medal, one Bronze Star Medal, in addition to receiving “Expert” rank in his weapons training. Joseph Dugan was never known to be a quitter, and his awards and achievements only serve as further proof of his unmatched mental and physical resilience.
After his time in the military, he went on to become a firefighter at the Brockton Fire Department, where he served his community for twenty-two years before retiring in 1999 due to a work-related disability. Following his retirement, Joseph devoted every available moment to spending time with his family and friends. His devotion to his loved ones was a testament to the depth of his character and the warmth of his heart.
Joseph is survived by his daughter, Debra (Dugan) Alves, his grandchildren, Kevin and Steven Alves, and Ryan and Megan Mendonca, his brothers, Allen, Daniel, and Michael Dugan, his sisters, Kathleen Mcpeck, and Marie Silva, along with several nieces and nephews.
He is predeceased by his son, Joseph E. Dugan Jr., his daughter, Kathleen M. (Dugan) Mendonca, his former wife, Nancy (Shepherd) Dugan, his brother, John T. Dugan, and his mother and father, Mary C. (Anderson) Dugan, and Leo J. Dugan Jr.
A funeral home service will be held at the O’Keefe-Wade Funeral Home, 70 Washington St., Taunton, MA 02780 on Friday, August 25th at 11am. Calling hours will be from 10 Am to 11 AM.