Robert J. Duffy

Mr. Robert Joseph Duffy, a longtime South Bay resident and avid soccer enthusiast, passed away unexpectedly of a heart attack on Saturday, June 24, 2006 at his home in Torrance while watching the World Cup matches. He was 73.

Bob was born in Massachusetts. After graduating from Boston University, he moved to California where he started a long successful career in the aerospace industry. Bob raised three children in Torrance with his former wife JoAnn. On the weekends, he could always be found at the local soccer fields playing, coaching his children and grandchildren, or setting up the fields. Bob loved to ski in the winter often taking his family to Mammoth Mountain, a tradition he continued with his grandchildren, Sean, Ethan, Rachel, Adam, Bridget and, new arrival, Anderson.

Among his many interests, Bob was involved with the Torrance Chamber of Commerce, his condo association board and managed the Riviera United Soccer Team in the Pacific Soccer League.

Bob was well-respected and very well liked in the community and will be greatly missed by family and friends.

He is survived by his Son, Michael (Linda) Duffy of North Tustin, CA; Daughter, Julie Duffy of Pacifica, CA; Son, Dan (Sonja) Duffy of Palos Verdes Estates, CA; and Sister, Marjorie Farrell of Tampa, FL. He was preceded in death by his Father, George "Joseph" Duffy, Mother, Margaret "Peg" Duffy, Sister, Jeanne Provost, and Uncle, John Donald Duffy.

Visitation will be held at Rice Mortuary in Torrance on Thursday June 29, 2006 from 10:00 am until 12:00 pm. The funeral mass will be at St. Lawrence Martyr Catholic Church in Redondo Beach on Thursday June 29 at 1:00 pm. Burial will follow at Holy Cross Cemetery in Culver City.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Malden Catholic High School, 99 Crystal Street, Malden, Massachusetts, 02148, 781-322-3098, www.maldencatholic.org.