Obituaries
Cranford Students Grieve For Beloved Teacher; Fundraiser Created For Kids' College
Money is being collected for Cranford HS teacher Joseph Dugandzic's two children's college after his body was found in the Rahway River.
CRANFORD, NJ — Cranford High School students present and past took to social media to share memories of their beloved teacher Joseph Dugandzic, whose body was found early Saturday in the shallow waters of the Rahway River in town.
An investigation is ongoing into the cause of death.
Some credited Dugandzic with helping them get into college. Another credited him with helping them become a better writer, while another said he was a "great coach, great teacher, but an even better person."
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Friends and family of Dugandzic have also created a GoFundMe page to raise money in his memory for his children's college fund and cancer research. Dugandzic left behind his wife and two children, Kerry and Richie.
"If you can dream it, you can do it. Attitude is the mother of success," a quote from Dugandzic as remembered by his daughter Kerry.
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Dugandzic, 52, was a high school English teacher for more than 20 years and was invested in his students' academic achievements, as well as their personal growth and success.
"He nicknamed his classroom 'Dugandzicland, a celestial oasis of learning,' where he shared life lessons and inspirational messages such as 'There are no ordinary moments' and 'I Believe!'" reads the GoFundMe page.
In lieu of flowers, the GoFundMe memorial page is looking to raise money for two causes:
- Dugandzic Children College Fund: Click the "Donate Now" button on GoFundMe to contribute to a fund that has been established to finance the college education of Joe's two children, Kerry and Richie. 100 percent of any money raised will go directly to Kerry’s and Richie’s college tuition
- ORV Foundation for Cancer Research at jimmyv.org
Saddened and shocked to hear of the tragic passing of Mr. Dugandzic. Great coach, great teacher, but an even better person. #RIP
— Kevin Doran (@Kevin_doran75) January 7, 2017
Never want to wake up and hear something like that. Everyone can agree Dugandzicland was an environment like no other. RIP Joe Dugandzic
— Austin Post (@Jrh076) January 7, 2017
rip mr dugandzic he was the boy and my favorite teacher and i looked forward to his class everyday and im shook i just saw him friday. pic.twitter.com/YAJblADAdH
— Esai Shaw (@esai_shaw) January 7, 2017
rip to the man that helped me get into college. thank you for all that you've done dug, dugandzic land lives on
— amanda neuhaus (@arneuhaus) January 7, 2017
RIP Mr. Dugandzic you taught us life lesions and a different way to look at the world, thank you for all you did for us.
— Devon Swedberg (@Retaleator35) January 9, 2017
rest in peace to the teacher who influenced me to become a better writer. i'll miss you mr. dugandzic.
— geena anderson (@geenaandersonn) January 8, 2017
RIP to one of the kindest teachers I've ever had. Thank you for being wonderful mr dugandzic. Rest easy up there.
— Cristina Marco (@marcopolomarx1) January 8, 2017
Substitution Off - Marko Dugandzic (SPAL 2013 2 - 0 Ternana)
— BettracksScores (@BettracksScores) December 24, 2016
To make a donation to Dugandzic GoFundMe visit https://www.gofundme.com/joedu...
Photo via GoFundMe
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