James F. Duffy, aged 96, of Fall River, passed away on Wednesday, July 24, 2024, at home after a long illness. From 1950 until her death in 2008, he was married to his high-school sweetheart, Elizabeth F. “Betty” (Farrell) Duffy.
Born in Fall River to the late Frank E. Duffy and Margaret (Gaskill) Duffy, he lived in the city most of his life, but also made his mark in Tiverton, RI. It was there that he opened the J.F. Duffy Pharmacy, which he owned for 25 years. During that time, he was also the Vice President of the Providence Wholesale Drug Co.
After successfully selling his own store to a national chain, Mr. Duffy launched a second career as a consultant facilitating the sale of almost 100 pharmacies in 30 states. He also acted as an advisor to the Federal Trade Commission to effectuate the merger of two national drugstore chains.
While a resident of Tiverton, Mr. Duffy was elected to the School Committee and was named chairman of the Building Committee for the town’s new high school. He was proud to spearhead that project, which opened on schedule and on budget.
A devout Catholic, he served as a trustee of his parish church in Tiverton. For the past 55 years, he has been a faithful parishioner of Holy Name Church, where he served as a Eucharist Minister. In 1989, he was awarded the Marion Medal by the Diocese of Fall River.
Mr. Duffy graduated from Monsignor James Coyle High School and received his B.S. degree from the Rhode Island College of Pharmacy, which became part of the University of Rhode Island.
As a boy, he enjoyed summers in Portsmouth, RI, where he developed a lifelong passion for swimming. Mr. Duffy was a voracious reader who devoured three newspapers a day and at least two books weekly. But first and foremost, he was a devoted, loving and generous father, grandfather and great-grandfather.
He is survived by six children: James F. Duffy Jr. and his wife Awilda of Jacksonville, FL; John T. Duffy and his partner Rachel Paradis of Riverside, RI; Mary Duffy of Los Angeles, CA; Elizabeth L. Duffy of South Dartmouth, MA; Edward J. Duffy of Fall River; and Catherine D. Maitoza and her husband Christopher of Davenport, FL. He leaves 9 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren. He was predeceased by his brother Frank E. Duffy Jr. of Kennebunk, ME, and his sister Mary Dunne of Long Beach, CA.
Visiting hours will be held Wednesday, July 31, 2024, between 8:30 a.m. and 9:30 a.m. at WARING-SULLIVAN HOME OF MEMORIAL TRIBUTE at CHERRY PLACE 178 Winter St. Fall River (at Locust, Cherry, and High Sts.), and will be immediately followed by a 10 a.m. Funeral Mass at Holy Name Church, 709 Hanover St., Fall River. Relatives and friends are invited. Burial in St. Patrick’s Cemetery, Fall River. In lieu of flowers, contributions in Mr. Duffy’s name can be made to Holy Name Church or the Fall River Public Library. For online registration or facility directions: www.waring-sullivan.com
