John (Jack) H. Duffy

John (Jack) H. Duffy, 84, went to be with his Lord and passed peacefully surrounded by caring family at Hospice Brazos Valley, Bryan Texas on December 10, 2015. Previous to his January move to Isle-of-Watercrest, Bryan, John enjoyed more than 20 years of active retirement in Mobile, Alabama which included six year’s residence at Somerby of Mobile.

John was an upbeat Irishman who never met a stranger. An only child, John was born December 31, 1930 in Little Falls, Herkimer County New York to the late Rachel and Henry Duffy. He was predeceased by his loving wife of 57 years, Joan, and second son, Kevin. Surviving family members are his children Sean Duffy and wife Carol, Michael Duffy and wife Deborah, Patty Duffy, and Suzanne Coons and husband Clarke; including five grandchildren Rachel, Lauren, Andrea, Kevin, and Dylan. He will be remembered fondly by the many lives he touched, including the many extended Duffy family relatives of Ilion and upstate NY areas, and Rhode Island.

An accomplished student, John earned various degrees from Union College, Purdue, the University of New Haven, and attended Notre Dame University. Most of his career was spent as a chemist, Quality Control Manager and Plant Manager for pharmaceuticals Cowles Chemical, Miles, and Bayer. He also taught at Springhill College, Lady Smith College, and University of New Haven. He loved photography, golfing and was delighted to be a Marshal at Magnolia Grove Golf Club. He was an avid swimmer who competed in Senior Olympics even up to the age of 80.

John was a Paul Harris Fellow, as a dedicated member of Rotary International with 44 years “Perfect Attendance.” John, with Joan, had hosted numerous foreign exchange students, traveled to many International Conventions, and escorted Rotary Wheels Tour Exchanges throughout Europe for disabled participants. John enjoyed more than 14 years of reading to Ms. Manning’s 4th grade class at E.R. Dickenson Elementary School inspiring bright smiles and deep love for reading. John was very active in the congregation and Bible Study Group of Our Savior Catholic Church of Mobile.

Remembrances may be named in John’s memory to “Rotary Foundation – Polio Plus Fund”, Rotary International, One Rotary Center 1560 Sherman Avenue, Evanston, IL 60201-3698 or www.rotary.org/GIVE online.