Obituary of Joseph J. Dungan, Jr.

Joseph Dungan, Lake Hopatcong

Joseph J. Dungan Jr., 76, on Sunday, July 21, 2019.  Visiting hours will be held on Friday, July 26^th from 10 am – 12 noon at the Norman Dean Home For Services, 16 Righter Ave., Denville.  A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 1 o’clock that day at Our Lady Star of The Sea, 204 Espanong Rd, Lake Hopatcong, NJ 07849.  Donations in his name may be made to the good work of one of Joe’s favorite organizations, Catholic Charities, Diocese of Paterson in support of Weigand Farm and the Department of Persons with Disabilities, https://www.ccpaterson.org/donate

Joe was born in 1943 to the late Joseph and Sally Dungan in Saddle Brook, NJ. After his schooling, he served in the US Army, serving time in Korea. Upon his honorable discharge, he apprenticed with IATSE Local One and worked the theaters of New York City, including many years as foreman for Sound Associates. In 1974 he met Claudia Iversen at The Gingerman across from Lincoln Center. They were inseparable and married shortly after. They made their home in Lake Hopatcong where they raised two children. 

Joe really has done it all. He held a black belt in karate, was a runner, rollerskater, sky diver, horseback rider, scuba diver, sailor and skier, just to name a few of his physical activities. He was a longtime parishioner of Star of the Sea and always found time to donate to others. He was an enthusiastic Knight’s of Columbus Member serving as Grand Knight this past year. He was a hard-worker and provided a good life for his family. He was a 50 year Member of IATSE Local One and proud of it. Joe just never slowed down. He was always working on a new project, lending a hand or taking on a new adventure.

His family was first, above all of his hobbies and interests.  He was the devoted husband, partner and best friend to Claudia and was the doting and proud Dad to Maggie and Joe III. He bragged of the kids often and loved just being with his family. This included the canines Skye & Baxter of course. 

He leaves only beautiful memories to his wife Claudia (nee Iversen) of 45 years; his children Margaret Ann Dungan (Tim Lum) and Joseph James Dungan III; and many more dear relatives, friends, peers, roller skating enthusiasts and the hard working men and women of Local One.

You - you alone will have the stars as no one else has them... In one of the stars I shall be living. In one of them I shall be laughing. And so it will be as if all the stars were laughing, when you look at the sky at night.

-Antoine de Saint-Exupéry