Earl Kenneth Duffy

Earl Kenneth Girard Joseph Duffy, born Dec ember 25, 1916 to Lawrence and Etta Duffy on Chicago’s’ South side passed on Oct. 15, at KC Hospice House. He was a very protective big brother to his younger siblings Bob and Lorraine. Dad lived the life of the All American boy, competing on the athletic fields, courts and tracks, participating in the 1932 Olympic time trials as a sprinter at Soldier Field and fishing for yellow perch with his dad on Lake Michigan. Dad served his country as a staff sergeant in the Army Air Corps stationed in Hawaii. He graduated from Rockhurst College in 1948 and savored his time there often quoting Father Freeman and Harry Kies.

He married Mary Helene Wheeler in 1947, and they were together for 46 years until her death in 1994. They raised three kids, Dennis, Mary Pat (Kate) and Kathleen. Dad worked a number of jobs especially enjoying selling bonds in small towns where he discovered cafes and back roads never taking the same route. He was a member of The Hibernians, VFW and Knights of Columbus. He retired from Baseball as a fleet footed centerfielder on the Busters Bums squad but continued bowling into his nineties. He added nine more kids as well as an abundant array of grandchildren and great-grandchildren to his family in 1996 when he married Beatrice Kalmus. Bea left this world in 2003. Dad was a tireless volunteer for The Little Sisters of the Poor and St Josephs’ Hospital for many years.

Contributions may be made to The Little Sisters of the Poor as well as Kansas City Hospice House . Visitation will be held Saturday, November 6th, 11:30 a.m., at Cure’ of Ars Catholic Church, 9401 Mission Road, Leawood, KS, with the Memorial Mass to follow at 12:30 p.m.