Michael Duggan

Michael T. Duggan passed away peacefully at home on December 27, 2020 with his wife Barbara by his side.

I was born at Cooley Dickerson Hospital in Northampton, MA on March 31, 1946 and spent my early years living at eastern Ave., and then 19 Winthrop St, Northampton.

Attending Northampton public schools, including the notorious "Class of 63" at Northampton High School. Followed by the University of Massachusetts, 63-67, Amherst, and went on to earn an MBA from Southern New Hampshire University.

In 1968 I married Barbara Matuszezak of Chicope and only a few years ago we celebrated our 50th wedding anniversary together. She has been the love of my life, after having met while I was life guarding at DAR State Park in Goshen, MA, between my sophomore and junior year at "hamp high." For better or worse, sharing the good and bad days, we have been together ever sense.

Upon graduation in 1967 from Umass I moved to Salem, NH and took a position with the Haverhill, MA School Department lasting for four years. In the meantime, I took an interest in law enforcement, a family trait as my father had been an active-duty Northampton police officer and rising through the ranks to achieving the position of Chief of Police in the mid 60's.

Prior to Memorial Day in 1971 I sworn in a special police officer with the Salem, N.H. Police Department under Chief John Ganley. Prior to my appointment, my wife Barbara had already been employed as a civilian clerk in the department, marking the beginning of long-time relationship professionally as well as personally.

While serving as a special officer I also joined the US Naval Reserve assigned to the "Mobile Inshore Warfare Group 3" and served at Fort Stark in New Castle, NH.

In 1973 I was promoted to regular officer serving mostly in patrol and having been promoted the rank of Sergeant working different shifts and with some of the best friends I have the honor of knowing.

Around 1980 I got restless and, although some people considered somewhat reckless, we applied the Metro Miami Dade Police Department and was accepted into their academy starting on January 27, 1983. Yet again another great adventure!

Both of us graduated from the same academy class, I was sent out to MidWest District, within a year I was brought into the district detective ranks and served their in different capacities for almost five years. Upon my promotion to Sergeant, I was assigned to the Warrants Bureau, Fugitive Apprehension Unit, where I found a permanent home. (Some say dinosaur!)

In 2008, after 26 years of service I retired, along with two other warrant sergeants, and joined Barbara who was already living full time in the Keys.

Within months I became bored and joined the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office as a reserve deputy, serving for eight more years in their Criminal Investigation Unit as a part time investigator. There I met yet again another wonderful group of people including Detective Sergean Mark Coleman who became the last of my many mentors.

In 2016 we purchased a townhouse in Hampton (North Beach) to be near friends and family for the summers. How fortuitous, in 2017 I was diagnosed with melanoma and have been treated in both Miami and Boston for the last three years.

As I close out 75 years of life, I can only think what a wonderful experience it has been, having been married to a wonderful woman, Barbara, for fifty plus years, working in numerous jobs, including law enforcement for 45 years, and the abundance of travel Barb and I have enjoyed. The least of which is three trips to Ireland and five Irish Music Cruises; along with Boots on the Bails trips which opened us to up to Americas west.

More importantly are the friends we made along the way, from the early days at Salem PD, George Winchell, Paul Marchand, Mark canvanaugh, John Tommasi, Bobbie McGuire and a host more. Moving on to my days at MDPD I need to remember Ray and Karin Montejo, Rosy Diaz. Chris Burgin, Barbara & Tony Gentile, Bill Kean. And that is just a touch of the ice berg, from my early days in Midwest District to my long standing work in the Warrants Bureau.

Finally from days at the Monroe Sheriffs, Barney Sajdak, Ian Barnett, Jr Galvez, Pat Paolella (Whom I Married on a cruise boat), and many, many more in the eight years then I can mention, or remember. Closing out, Detective Sergeant Mark Coleman, who resides now in Hawaii and always wants us to visit.

As I leave this earth I can only hope and wish that all of you can experience the same great "ride" that I have.

In Lieu of flowers please donate to the PBA Scholarship Fund Miami Dade county, Address 10680 NW 25th St # 300, Doral, FL 33172.