Duggan, Donald J.

Fr. Donald J. Duggan, SJ, 86, died on September 27, 2010, in Regis Infirmary at Sacred Heart Jesuit Center in Los Gatos, California, after a long illness. He was a Jesuit for 68 years and a priest for 55 years.

Born in San Francisco, California, on May 12, 1924, Fr. Duggan entered the Society of Jesus at Sacred Heart Novitiate in Los Gatos on August 14, 1942. He pronounced final vows on March 25, 1977, at Santa Clara University in Santa Clara, California.

He was librarian at Sacred Heart Novitiate, Los Gatos, 1958-1962. In 1962 he was named Assistant Librarian at Santa Clara University, a post he held until 1980. After retiring from the university library, he was librarian of the Jesuit Community at SCU and did spiritual direction and retreats.

In 1994 at the Vina de Lestonnac Ministry Center in Temecula, he served as chaplain to the sisters, gave spiritual direction and guided individually directed retreats. It proved to be a “great occasion of grace and growth for me,” he noted, adding, “I’ve never been happier.” Declining health brought him to Sacred Heart Jesuit Center. “Fraternal charity is one of his biggest assets,” said a friend, who noted that Fr. Duggan would graciously “take on any thankless and difficult apostolic role.”

He is survived by his sister, Mrs. Carol Dimitriu.