Charles J. Colgan Jr., veteran, founder/president Freedom Museum, Verizon-30 years, father of 3

Charles Joseph Colgan, Jr., (Chuck) passed away after a long illness in the comfort and care of his daughter’s home on October 20, 2020, surrounded by his family.

Chuck was born in Washington, D.C., on March 28, 1949, to Charles and Agnes Colgan. After the family settled in Prince William County, Chuck graduated from Stonewall Jackson High School in 1968. Enlisting in the United States Army, Chuck was assigned to the 4th Infantry Division, serving in Vietnam as a combat photographer in 1969 and 1970.

Upon his discharge, Chuck returned to Prince William County, where he was hired by Commonwealth Telephone Company and retired from the Verizon Corporation after a 30-year career. He then went to work for the family business, Colgan Air, as Director of Recruiting where he spent ten years.

Chuck was active in veteran causes, and was a member of American Legion Post 10, where he had served as Post Commander. He was a founding member and President of The Freedom Museum and helped raise funds for the war memorial at Freedom Park at the McCoart Government Complex in Woodbridge. He was a life member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars.

Chuck was preceded in death by his parents, State Senator and Mrs. Charles J. Colgan, Sr.

Chuck is survived by his wife, Patricia Jones Colgan, three children - Charles Colgan III and wife Wendy, of Nacogdoches Texas, Shannon Colgan Diaz and husband Diego, of Manassas, and Virginia Colgan Rose and husband Patrick of Gainesville, and 11 grandchildren, Sarah, Fletcher, Paris, Thomas, Noah, Angela, Annabelle, Allison, Alonso, Olivia, and Dominic.

The oldest of eight children, Chuck is also survived by his seven siblings. Ruth Willis (Robert), Michael Colgan (Julie), Ray Colgan (Lisa), Mary Finnigan (Pat), Dorothy Chaplin (James), Patrick Colgan, and Timothy Colgan (Colleen).

There will be a viewing at Pierce Funeral Home on Sunday, Oct. 25, from 3 to 5 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be said at All Saints Catholic Church at 10 a.m. on Monday, Oct. 26 with burial following at Stonewall Memory Gardens.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions can be made to The Freedom Museum, 10600 Harry J. Parrish Blvd., Manassas, VA 20110