On Sunday, July 13, 2025, James “Jim” Duggan passed away at age 84.

James (Jim) Joseph Duggan was born on May 6, 1941 in Newport, Rhode Island, to James Joseph and Sarah Ellen (Pinto) Duggan. Upon graduation from Rodgers High School, Jim enlisted in the United States Air Force. At the time of his honorable discharge Jim was an Electronic Warfare Counter, and Counter Measures Radar Operator during the Vietnam War and Cuban Missile Crisis.

Following his military service, life eventually led Jim to the Richmond, Virginia based company, Commercial Food Equipment, where he fabricated restaurant equipment for area restaurants and the international chain, Golden Skillet. In 1977, Jim’s mechanical and management expertise led him to Japan to assist in the development of operations and maintenance protocols of restaurant equipment in a new Golden Skillet franchise in Tokyo.

In the 1980s Jim purchased a 46-foot power boat, Bay Lady, and began a new phase in life as a live-aboard at Yacht Haven Marina in Gloucester Point. While thoroughly enjoying this new lifestyle, Jim’s work ethic never faltered. Never far from the water, he later purchased and completely remodeled a home in Gloucester Point that had been fire gutted.

Often, and with much affection, friends referred to Jim as an encyclopedia of useless information. Need to know the Latin name of the smallest living species in the ocean? Jim was on it. Need to know the day of the week? He had to think about it. Jim enjoyed regaling people with stories (of which he seemed to have an endless supply) that were thoughtful, interesting, funny, sometimes way too detailed, but always came from his love of sharing whatever he knew or had with other people.

A man of numerous talents and interests, Jim absolutely loved anything to do with marine science. During his time at the William and Mary Virginia Institute of Marine Science Jim discovered a new host species for striped bass, marone saxtalis, which was duly recorded at the Smithsonian Institution. Jim’s endless curiosity led him to enjoying many years of helping grateful VIMS scientists and students by fabricating equipment specific to meet the needs of their fields of study and experiments. All this in addition to ensuring all staff had safe building environments throughout the VIMS campus.

Jim always derived much pleasure from helping others. Whether it was through his many building talents or electrical, mechanical and welding, people could always count on him to give them what they needed. His last love was building birdhouses, some being extremely intricate, while others were whimsical. He most enjoyed giving them to family, friends and neighbors.

While in his ’50s, Jim joined Abingdon Volunteer Fire and Rescue as a firefighter and emergency medical technician where in 2005 he received the Volunteer of the Year Award for exemplary service. Following the move from Gloucester Point to northern Gloucester County, Jim transferred to the Gloucester Volunteer Fire and Rescue Squad (GVFRS) where he actively served over 15 years and in, 2021, was awarded Lifetime Membership to GVFRS.

Jim was preceded in death by his beloved father, James; mother, Sarah, and only sibling, Helena. He is survived by his wife Jean; sister-in-law, Judy Raymond; brother-in-law, James Smart (Marge), and numerous nieces and nephews who reside on both coasts of the United States. He is also survived by a very special group of people who graciously and lovingly “adopted” him and Jean into their family: Betty Allan Prall, Debra Allan Kuhn, John Allan (Rachel), and Bill Allan (Susan).

There will never be enough thanks for the gentle, thoughtful care given to Jim by first, Dr. Peter Zullo, and then the Riverside Hospice Care Team–especially nurses Emily and Rebeka. Many thanks and appreciation also go to the Riverside Walter Reed Emergency Room staff and the second-floor nurses who helped keep Jim comfortable in his final hours.

There will be no viewing or service. Inurnment will be private. Those that were blessed by Jim’s life and service may honor his memory by sending donations to Gloucester Volunteer Fire and Rescue, P.O. Box 1417, Gloucester, Va. 23061, or Abingdon Fire and Rescue, P.O. Box 9, Bena, Va. 23018.