Veteran & Retired Providence Firefighter, Charles Edward Duggan, Dies at 86

Veteran & Retired Providence Firefighter, Charles Edward Duggan, Dies at 86

Charles E. Duggan, 86, of Providence, Rhode Island, passed away on Monday, January 17, 2022. He was the husband of the late Ann E. (McCormick) Duggan.

Born in Providence he was the son of the late Elmer J. Duggan and Mary E. (Doyle) Duggan.  He is survived by his son, Kevin C. Duggan of Warwick and daughter, Karen A. Duggan of Providence, his brother Edward (Leo) Duggan of Providence, uncle to many nieces and nephews, as well as his two favorite canine companions, Luna, and Woody. 

Charlie served as a devoted fire fighter for the Providence Fire Department for 22 years.  He also served in the U.S. Army and found time to own his own auto parts distribution company. After retirement, he was an avid daily reader of the Providence Journal, playing the lottery and dreaming of hitting it big, following his favorite sports teams, Patriots and Red Sox, watching his favorite classic tv shows, a cold Bud Light with his friends from the fire department.  Even after suffering a stroke that left him unable to converse due to aphasia, he persevered and continued to make people laugh with his remaining words and playful hand gestures. Whenever one would come across Charlie, they were always greeted with a boisterous “HELLO!” and contagious laugh.

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Calling hours in the Russell J. Boyle and Son Funeral Home, 331 Smith Street, Providence will be Saturday, January 22, 2022 from 8:30-10:30 am with a funeral service at 10:30 am.

Burial with full military honors will follow in St. Ann Cemetery, Cranston.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Charles's memory should be made to the American Heart Association, or the American Stroke Association.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Charles, please visit the floral store.