James M. "Jim" Duffy

Born in Worcester, MA to Ann (Duffy) Breen and James J. Duffy, who have predeceased him, Jim was the oldest of six siblings. His surviving siblings and their spouses are Joanne (Duffy) Silva and her husband Thomas of Falmouth, MA, Mara (Duffy) Lavigne of Worcester, MA, Joseph J. Duffy of Columbus, OH and Ann (Duffy) Ruder of Naples, Florida. Jim’s brother Michael A. Duffy, and two brothers-in-law, Robert Lavigne and David F. Donnelly, predeceased him. He is survived by his loving wife of 44 years, Susanna (Donnelly) Duffy and their children Ellen Ann Duffy of Manchester, NH and James David Duffy of Wakefield, MA. Jim also is survived by his Aunt June Brown, his sister-in-law Debbie Wernholm, several cousins, nieces and nephews, a great niece and three great nephews.

Jim attended Assumption Preparatory School in Worcester, MA, then received his BA degree in philosophy from Assumption College. He held a master’s degree in school counseling from the University of New Hampshire and earned his National School Counselor certification. Many will remember him for his years as a guidance counselor in Bedford, NH and at the Gilbert H. Hood Middle School in Derry, NH. After retiring, Jim became an adjunct sociology and psychology instructor at Manchester Community College and Southern New Hampshire University, where he was named “Adjunct Faculty Member of the Year” several times. He assisted in developing a cultural assimilation program for Manchester’s recent immigrants during his time at SNHU.

Jim loved to travel, honing his considerable photography talents along the way. In recent years he became an avid gardener. A person of integrity and principles, he earned the admiration and respect of his family, friends and students. Most importantly, he was unfailingly kind to every person he encountered. He will also be greatly missed for his wicked, irreverent, Irish sense of humor.

To commemorate both Jim and his father, a World War II veteran, the family requests that in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions be made to Honor Flight New England, P.O. Box 16287, Hooksett, NH 03106 (www.honorflightnewengland.org).

Visitation was held on Friday, September 18 from 4 to 7 pm at the McHugh Funeral Home, 283 Hanover St., corner of Beech St. in Manchester, NH. A Celebration of Life Service was held on Saturday September 19 at 11 am in the funeral home.