James P. Diggins

HOLDEN/COTUIT – James P. Diggins, 80, of Cotuit, formerly of Holden and Worcester, died peacefully on Monday, February 23, 2009, in the Rose Monahan Hospice Residence, Worcester, after a lengthy illness.

Mr. Diggins was the owner and long-time president of Marshall & Diggins Insurance Agency. He was elected twice to the Worcester School Committee. He was a corporator of Bay State Savings Bank.

Mr. Diggins graduated from Saint John's High School in 1946 and from the College of the Holy Cross in 1950. He served as the alumni chairman of his class at Holy Cross for many years. He was also a member of the President's Council at Holy Cross and member and past president of the Holy Cross College Club of Worcester. He was a U.S. Army veteran of the Korean conflict.

Mr. Diggins was a founding member of St. George's Church in Worcester, and was active in the Bishop's Fund for the Diocese of Worcester. He was also a founding member of Christ the King Church in Mashpee and a member of St. Mary's Church in Jefferson. He was a Director of the Cahoon Museum of Cotuit.

Mr. Diggins had many friends. He formed a bridge club in Worcester, meeting weekly for 30 years; its members never kept score.

Mr. Diggins loved Cape Cod. He maintained a residence there for many years in Popponessett, and then in Cotuit, where he lived in his retirement. He was an avid, self-taught sailor; he sailed his boat, the Fionnualla, off Cape Cod with every fair wind.

Mr. Diggins leaves his beloved wife and partner of 54 years, Margaret (Bowen) Diggins; three sons, James P. Diggins, Jr., and his wife Eileen of Worcester; Timothy W. Diggins and his wife Deborah of Boston; and Patrick J. Diggins and his wife Kristen of Holden; two daughters, Mary (Molly) Diggins and her husband Mark Duggan of Boston; and Deirdre Ann Erb and her husband Joseph of Chanhassen, Minnesota; a sister, Mary E. Woods of Shrewsbury; 12 grandchildren: Patrick M., Caroline E., Luke A., Katherine E. (Katelyn), Margaret P. (Maggie) and Daniel P. Diggins, Liam J. and Delia J. Duggan, and Brynne C., Connor N., Garret J. and Cian J. Erb; and many nephews and nieces. A sister, Ellen O'Toole, and two brothers-in-law, John F. Woods and Timothy V. O'Toole, predeceased him.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend calling hours from 5 to 8 p.m. on Thursday, February 26th, in the Miles Funeral Home, 1158 Main Street (Rte. 122A), Holden. The funeral for Mr. Diggins will be held on Friday, February 27th, from the funeral home with a 10 a.m. Mass of Christian Burial in St. Mary's Church, 114 Princeton Street, Jefferson. Burial will follow in St. John's Cemetery, 260 Cambridge Street, Worcester. A Memorial Mass will also be held at 10 a.m. on May 23, 2009 in Christ the King Church, Mashpee.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the VNA Care Network Rose Monahan Home, 120 Thomas Street, Worcester, MA 01608; or the College of the Holy Cross, One College Street, Worcester, MA 01610.

Website & Guest book: www.milesfuneralhome.com