LYNN — More than 100 people gathered at Old Tyme Italian Cuisine on Friday evening for the “Night to Remember” fundraiser for the city’s veterans, which was dedicated to John “Iggy” Dorgan.
All proceeds benefited Habitat P.L.U.S., which works to provide sober housing to veterans with psychiatric disabilities. It was founded in 1989 and established its headquarters on Essex Street. Through a $50 ticket price and a variety of raffles during the night, David Dorgan, John Dorgan’s son, estimated that Friday’s event raised more than $5,000. For their donations, attendees were treated to a buffet-style dinner and musical performances by James Montgomery, Joe Savia, and Brian Cocoran.
“I’m so taken aback by the kindness of people,” Habitat P.L.U.S. Executive Director Susan Campbell said. “Darren (Cyr) just showed up and knocked on our door two or three weeks ago and said ‘We’re going to do this.’ And at that time, we had some hiccups with our state funding, so it could not come at a better time.”
Campbell said that her organization’s main goal is to use the funds raised to ensure a comfortable holiday season for Lynn’s veterans.
Lynnway Associates sponsored the event. The realty group’s president and CEO, Lou Markakis, credited Cyr, a former City Council president; his son Christian Cyr, and David Dorgan for making the event happen. Markakis hopes the festivity will be the first of many.
“As a Marine Corps veteran, it’s my small way of giving back,” Markakis said. “We plan to make it an annual fundraising event.”
John Dorgan was a member of Lynn Vocational High School’s first graduating class in 1948. After enlisting in the United States Navy Reserve during his junior year, he eventually became full-time and was sent to the Navy’s Minecraft base in Charleston, S.C. He returned to his hometown in 1951 and married Marion Cronin. Two decades later, their family reached 14 members with the birth of their twelfth child.
John Dorgan’s naval duties as a machinist were not over after being honorably discharged, as he spent time working at the Boston Naval Shipyard, Watertown Arsenal, Charlestown Navy Yard, and more before retiring in 1993.
John Dorgan is most well-known for his role as the commanding officer of the city’s Polish Legion of American Veterans. David Dorgan explained how he knew his father had left a lasting legacy on the city by the time of his death in 2017.
“There were so many people that came to his wake, that I had to ice my hand that night,” David Dorgan said. “I shook so many hands that my hand was swollen… and it was a freezing cold day.”
Charlie Swirka was friends with John Dorgan for more than 70 years. The Air Force veteran said John Dorgan is more than deserving of this dedication.
“He was a great, great guy,” Swirka said. “He was very active with all the vets.”
John Dorgan’s roots remain in Lynn, as the majority of his family still live in the area. He is survived by not only his 12 children, but also more than 30 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren.
