Lawrence Joseph Duggan

DUGGAN, LOU (Lawrence Joseph), died June 25, 2017 after a short and peaceful battle with brain cancer. Lou was born January 18, 1967 in Halifax, the son of Eric and Kathleen (Kenny) Duggan. He attended Saint Agnes Elementary and Saint Patrick’s High Schools.

Lou began his contribution to library science completing his BA and Master of Library and Information Studies degrees at Dalhousie University followed by a one year program as Associate Fellow at the National Library of Medicine, Washington, DC. Lou worked as a librarian in four Nova Scotia universities through his career: Dalhousie, Cape Breton and Saint Mary’s. In August, 2016, he was appointed University Librarian at Saint Francis Xavier University.

Lou dedicated much of his time to building programs to help library workers expand their professional development and advocate effectively for libraries through the Atlantic Provinces Library Association and the Partnership of provincial and territorial library associations of Canada. Lou held an enduring confidence in the positive impact libraries have on our communities and was devoted to the education, development, and mentorship of young librarians. These endeavors led to his being presented with the Outstanding Alumni Award from Dalhousie School of Information Technology Management in 2014 and the Atlantic Provinces Library Association Merit Award in 2016.

Lou loved jazz and classical music, fine art, good literature and poetry. His musical ability led him to share in the formation of the “The Prohibition” jazz band. The damage caused by the cancer meant he was no longer able to play his guitars, for him the most difficult physical result.

Besides his parents, Lou is survived by eight siblings and many nieces and nephews: Brian (Beth Moser) and Angela, Robbie, and Janice and their families, Dartmouth; Michael, Halifax; Peter (Sherri) and Courtney, Calgary; Chris (Sun) and Aiden, Alex and Nicole, Saskatoon; Nora (Scott) and Nicolas and Elizabeth Perry, Halifax; Ruth (Otto Van Barneveld), Marriott’s Cove; Patrick (Lisa Harrison) and Peyton, Lauren and Katie, Halifax; Margaret (Doug) and Jenna Lewis, Lower Sackville. Lou was predeceased by his brother Thomas and sister Carol.

Visitation will take place at JA Snow Funeral Home, Lacewood Drive on Thursday, June 29, 2017, from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. Cremation has taken place. A private family burial will take place in Mount Olivet Cemetery. No flowers by request; Donations may be made to Therapeutic Paws of Canada, Halifax/Dartmouth Division.

A ‘Celebration of Lou’ will be held Friday, June 30, 2017, 7:00 p.m. at the Paul O’Regan Hall in the Halifax Central Library. All are welcome to attend.