Paul Richard Deegan Jr.

MONTGOMERY, TEXAS – Paul Richard Deegan, Jr., 69, lost his battle with heart disease and returned to his heavenly home on October 18, 2016. His devotion to his family and his firm belief in God supported him in his struggle over the past 11 ½ years and ultimately gave him peace.

Paul was born to the late Paul Richard Deegan, Sr. and Margaret Anna (Powell) Deegan in Cambridge, MA. on January 18, 1947, the oldest of eight children. Like his father before him, Paul joined the Navy right after high school and loved serving his country as a machinist's mate on the USS Boston CAG-1 for 3 years and the Fred T. Berry for another year. Through his hard work and dedication, he achieved the rank of E5. It was during his time in the Navy that he met and fell in love with Andrea F. Connors who he married on April 16, 1968.

After serving his country and being discharged with Honors, Paul moved his family to Newton, MA., Watertown, MA., and finally settled his family of 7 in Millis, MA. Being a hard worker who praised efficiency, Paul was always striving to make improvements where they were necessary. His primary occupation was as a Hydraulic and Centrifuge Specialist. He was employed by General Dynamics in Groton, CT; Kennett Corp in Massachusetts, DeLaval of Poughkeepsie NY. He was transferred to Houston TX. with AlfaLaval where the family remained until all their children married and then Paul and Andrea retired and moved to Montgomery, TX. where he found pleasure in fishing with his grown children and their spouses and tinkering with old cars. Paul loved retirement. It provided him with the opportunity to catch up with his friends, attend functions and group outings, and tackle new interesting activities.

His life will forever be cherished in the lives of his devoted wife of 48 years, Andrea F. (Connors) Deegan and his children Paul Richard “Richie” Deegan, III and his wife Tatjana of Austin, TX, Michelle (Deegan) Arnold and her husband Scott of Seabrook, TX, Cathy (Deegan) Williams and her husband Rocky of Montgomery, TX, MaryJane (Deegan) Schulte and her husband Blaine of Montgomery, TX, and Jill (Deegan) Ward and her husband Scott of Austin, TX; grandchildren Brittany (Schulte) Teel and her husband Chris, Bailey Ann Schulte, Matthew Randall Haynes, Jacob Charles Haynes, Danielle Claire Deegan, Carlee Grace Deegan, Ava Jacqueline Ward, and Bradlee Nicole Deegan; great-grandchildren Caden Ryder Teel and Gage Edward Teel.

Paul is survived by brothers Michael Deegan of VA, Daniel and Susan Deegan of KY and their children Mac and Lydia Deegan, Margaret and Clay Seifert and their daughters Emmy and Maisie; sisters Gail Foley of MA; Janet and Rich Delfino of MA and their son Steve McGovern, his wife Detra and their daughters Kayla and Erin; Marion (Deegan) Mantero of MA and her daughters Katherine and Anna; Dawn Deegan of FL; Diane Deegan of MA and her daughter Jenny Fioretti.

Additionally, Paul leaves behind in-laws Bob and Eileen (Deceased) Rafuse and their children Rob, Jim, and Rose Rafuse and granddaughter Erin Murray; Mary Elizabeth Ross of FL and her children Albert Halucha, Jr., Susan Halucha and Loraine Richard (Paul’s God-daughter); Jay and Loretta Connors, their children Joe Connors and his wife Stacey, and Nicole Cardavelli; George and Ruth Ivas of NH and their children George and Sharon Ivas, Jeffrey and Kim Ivas, Michael and Amy Ivas, Andrew Ivas, and their grandchildren George, Theresa, Jeffrey, Heather, Thomas, and Jackson Ivas; Trish and David Hunter of TX and their children Karlene (Stecchi) and Jon Saunders, Lisa Marie Hunter, Cody Hunter, and their grandsons Hunter and Hudson Saunders and Bruno Butera; Charlotte Connors of NH and her daughters Jessica Cowan and Mariann Perna, and her grandchildren James Cowan, Joseph Nolan, Connor Fry, and Olivia Horne; Deborah Connors of MA and her children Kayleigh and Justin Bishop and a host of devoted cousins, friends, and colleagues.

Donations may be made in memory of Paul R. Deegan Jr. to the Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center Fisher House, https://web.charityengine.net/default.aspx?tsid=5528.

Arrangements under the direction of American Heritage Funeral Home, Houston, TX.