Paul Edward Diggins

Surrounded by his beloved children and grandchildren, Paul Edward Diggins, 70, passed away peacefully at home on July 17, 2025, after a 6-year battle with heart disease.

Paul lived a full and extraordinary life. He was a self-taught man of drive, conviction, generosity, spirituality, and brilliance.  Above all, his family was the pride and joy of his life and spending time with his grandchildren was his greatest pleasure. His life’s motto was “Work hard, pray hard and play hard.”  He often quoted the Baltimore Catechism: What is the purpose of man? To know, love, and serve the Lord.

Paul was born on July 23, 1955, in Pasadena, California, the second of seven sons born to Alfred and Lora Diggins.  The family spent their early years in La Puente, California, then Oregon City, Oregon and later, Simi Valley, California, and finally settled in Tucson, Arizona.  Paul studied archaeology and geology at California State University, Northridge. As a young man, he held various jobs, gaining skills that would serve him in future endeavors. He worked as a machinist, was employed on an oil rig, was a house painter, and traveled with an herb company, harvesting wild herbs for use in spice and pharmaceutical products.

In 1981, his father, Alfred, started Diggins & Sons Power Sweeping in Tucson, and eventually Paul & his wife, Joanne, ran the business for 40 years while raising their four children.  In 2009, the business expanded as Diggins Environmental Services, offering roll-offs, portable restrooms, and commercial and residential trash and recycling services. In 2004, Paul partnered with local scientists to establish a biotech company that employed a unique, patented method for extracting DNA.  In August 2021, Diggins Environmental was sold, and Paul tried to relax into retirement.

For years, Paul was active in the Tucson St. Patrick’s Day Parade Committee, the Irish American Gaelic Society, the Irish Stepdancers of Tucson, and the Tucson Celtic Festival. He engineered the first painting of the concrete “A” on A Mountain with the “Green Brigade”, using green street sweeper paint. He built a portable floor for the Irish stepdancers. He wrote articles for IAGS' monthly publication, The Blarney Stone, remembering Black 47, the Great Famine in Ireland.

In recent years, Paul’s concern of current events turned him to the ugly world of politics. As a long-time Libertarian, he was a “Ron Pauler” who promoted the philosophy of freedom for the individual with minimal government interference.

Paul enjoyed many passions. He was self-taught in building computers and supplied all the computers for his businesses, as well as for anyone who needed one. He was an avid fan of jazz.  Though completely lacking musical talent himself, he constantly accumulated music and knowledge of jazz artists. Many Tucsonans still remember good times at the annual Diggins Halloween parties, which were legendary for 25 years.  He faithfully supported Our Mother of Sorrows parish as well as many other charitable organizations.

When faced with recent health issues, Paul zealously researched and practiced alternative natural methods of health care, avoiding traditional pharmaceuticals.

Paul is survived by his wife Joanne of 43 years, his children, their spouses and eight grandchildren:  Sarah Dussault of Dublin, California,  Matthew Diggins of Tucson, Mariam Ferguson of Sahuarita, Sam Diggins of Munich, Germany; his brothers Timothy, Thomas, Thaddeus, and Andrew Diggins. He is preceded in death by his parents Alfred and Lora, and brothers David and Peter Diggins.

A memorial service will be held at Brings Broadway Chapel on Sunday, August 3, 2025, at 11:00 am. Following the service, a reception will be held at Casa Del Rio Restaurant, 1060 S. Pantano Road, 85710.