Francis Joseph Duggan

FRANCIS J. DUGGAN, 79, has shuffled off this mortal coil from his home in Alexandria, Virginia, on November 1, 2017. Duggan was born in Brooklyn, New York, the son of Edward H. Duggan and Rita Gordon Duggan, an Irish immigrant. He was educated at St. John's University's prep, college, and law school. Between college and law school, he served in the U.S. Navy.

After law school he worked in government positions for the U.S. Senate Labor and Public Welfare Committee, Rep. William Steiger (R-WI), Sen. Charles Mathias (R-MD), the U.S. Department of the Treasury and in 1988 became Assistant Secretary for Congressional Affairs at the U.S. Labor Department. At the end of the Reagan administration, he practiced law at Mullenholz, Brimsek, and Belair, representing the firearms industry, a healthcare coalition and numerous trade associations.  He spent 10 years as the tax lobbyist for the Association of American Railroads.

He served as Chairman of the National Mediation Board, under Presidents Clinton and Bush. Following his retirement, he has served on a number of boards and commissions, including The GMU School of Conflict Resolution, the GW Hospital's Cardiac and Vascular Institute, the Head Injury Rehabilitation and Referral Service, and as President of the Victims of Pan Am Flight 103 (Lockerbie).

After the 1988 terrorist bombing of Pan Am Flight 103, President George H.W. Bush appointed him to the Presidential Commission on aviation security and terrorism. Duggan was Liaison to the Families, beginning a 29-year relationship with the victims' families. Working pro bono, he led their organization through Congressional hearings, enactment of legislation, United Nations' sanctions, and changing the laws of Sovereign Immunity permitting lawsuits against Libya. He was instrumental in successful legal action providing compensation to the victims from Libya of $2.7 billion. The family group named him President though he did not have a relative on the plane, considering him "family". He continued to lead this very effective group until his passing.

Duggan was involved with numerous law enforcement and police organizations, including as a Reserve Deputy Sheriff in the Prince William Sheriff's Office. He was a certified police firearms instructor, and a 20-year member of the Fraternal Order of Police. 

Duggan was an active sportsman, hunting, fishing and golfing around the world. He was a member of many local sporting and Irish heritage organizations, including 40 years in the Ancient Order of Hibernians and 32 years in the Fellowship of AA. His closest, truest friends come from that latter group of giving, caring people.

He leaves his loving wife and true soulmate of 25 years, Faye M. Padgett, and three children, Timothy (Elizabeth McGuire) New York City; Teresa (Robert Wagner) Baltimore; and Patricia, Olney, Maryland, and grandchildren Clare and William Duggan. He is survived by his brother, Gordon Duggan (Gail Brown) of Cold Spring, NY. He was predeceased by his brother, Edward H. Duggan Jr. A previous marriage to Ellen Duggan ended in divorce.

The viewing will be Thursday, November 09, 2017, at Everly-Wheatley Funeral Home, Alexandria, Va., 5 to 8 PM. The funeral Mass will be Friday, November 10, at 11AM at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, 711 N. Columbus Street, Alexandria VA 22314. Burial service at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the Head Injury Research and Rehabilitation Service, 11 Taft Court, Suite 100, Rockville, MD 20850 or to St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, 711 N. Columbus Street, Alexandria VA 22314.



 

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