Martin "Joe" Dugan

Martin J. (“Joe”) Dugan, 90, of Indianapolis departed this life December 28 at home, surrounded by his loving family and friends. Joe was born May 5, 1931, in Indianapolis to the late Martin and Margaret (Fox) Dugan. His mother died when Joe was only two and his father died when Joe was ten, leaving Joe to be raised by his loving older siblings, for which he was eternally grateful. Joe was a graduate of St. Anthony Catholic Grade School and Washington High School. He was a life-long resident of Indianapolis and was proud of growing-up on the West side in Haughville and of raising his family on the East side in Irvington. He proudly served as a Sargent in the United States Army and in his early teens he worked at Real Silk making parachutes for WWII. Joe was never idle, having worked several jobs from an early age before embarking on a 33 year career at Stark and Wetzel where he rose to upper management, followed by a 14 year career as a Special Deputy with the Marion County Sheriff department.

Joe was an active member of Little Flower Catholic Church, the American Legion (40 and 8 and later Wayne Post #64), and the Ancient Order of Hibernians (“AOH”). He was proud of his Irish heritage, having the good fortune to visit his mother’s birthplace in County Galway Ireland twice with his beloved wife Mary Frances and other family and friends, and was presented with the Charlie O’Gara Irishman of the Year award in 2015, and he looked forward to participating in the annual Indianapolis St. Patrick’s Day Parade.

Joe was known for his distinct laugh and big smile, always wearing a Notre Dame hat, and for his genuine ability to make friends of strangers. He loved having a beer and sharing stories with his many friends at the Golden Ace, O’Gara’s Irish Pub, Si Greenes and other establishments throughout Indianapolis. As well, Joe cherished the laughter and friendly banter shared between life-long friends at the weekly “Liars Club” breakfast gatherings held at the Steer-in Restaurant. Joe had a sweet tooth, with a preference for Pineapple Upside Down cake and Longs Donuts (a childhood favorite). He loved to sing and dance, especially karaoke at the Golden Ace and Friday night sing-alongs in Maggie and Martha’s “she shed”. Joe loved to travel, enjoying many trips to Oregon and Arizona and numerous other states to visit family and friends; with a trip through Germany and Italy (including a tour of the Vatican) capped off by a Mediterranean Cruise with the entire Dugan clan in 2014 being the highlight of Joe’s travels.

Joe was an avid sports fan and had the good fortune to attend a World Series game, a Rose Bowl and several Fiesta Bowls with family and friends; including watching his beloved Notre Dame beat West Virginia for the National Championship in the 1989 Fiesta Bowl. Joe was well known for his love and dedication to the Indianapolis 500, having attended nearly every year since he was five years old. His greatest thrill was hosting the infamous “night before the 500 parties” with his wife Mary Frances and spending time with the 60+ family and friends who annually travelled from across the globe to attend the race with them. Joe was proud and humbled when he and his family were selected by the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and NBC Sports to be featured in the “Faces of the 500” segment that aired as the opening to the world-wide broadcast of the 2021 Indy 500.

Joe was above all a family man and was devoted to his late wife Mary Frances. Many remember the unconditional love and care he demonstrated towards Mary Frances during a long illness before her death. Joe and Mary Frances developed many close friends over the years and they and their families have become a treasured extension of the Dugan family and forever will be. For that the Dugan family is eternally grateful.

Joe was a proud and loving father and grandfather. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his loving wife, Mary Frances (Myers) Dugan, his brothers Harry, Robert and Johnny Dugan and his sisters Catherine McAvoy, Fran Hale and Mary Dugan and several other beloved family and friends. Joe is survived by his children - Marianne Dugan, Marty Dugan (Tiffany), Eileen Skinner (Gary) and Patty Hegarty (John), and grandchildren - Joseph Hegarty, Eamon Hegarty, Alexandria Dugan, Zach Skinner and Martin Dugan III, and by several nieces and nephews (by whom he was affectionately known as Uncle Joe) and by numerous Scecina High School foreign exchange students (for whom he was an adopted Grandpa).

Visitation will be held, January 14, 2022 from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM at Feeney-Hornak Shadeland Mortuary, 1307 N Shadeland Ave, Indianapolis, Indiana 46219. His Mass of Christian Burial will be January 15, 2022 at 10:00 AM at Little Flower Catholic Church, 4720 E 13th St, Indianapolis, Indiana 46201 with burial to follow in Holy Cross Cemetery, Indianapolis, Indiana

In lieu of flowers, contributions in Martin's memory may be made to Dugan Family Scholarship Fund at the University of Dayton, givenow.udayton.edu, then choose "other" and make a note for the Dugan Family Scholarship; and the Hibernians Memorial Scholarship Fund Kevin Barry Division.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.feeneyhornakshadeland.com for the Dugan family.