Dennis Michael Duffy's Obituary
Colonel Dennis Michael Duffy, USMC, Ret., passed away on Thursday, March 5, 2009.
Beloved husband of 23 years to Gail Duffy; father to Claire Duffy, Dennis Duffy, Jr., Kathryn D. Smith & her husband Durb and Kelli D. Filardi & her husband Dan; and brother of Mary Beth D. Florczak & her husband Adam. He is also survived by three grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his mother, Rita Sweeney Duffy; his father, Gerard Duffy, Sr.; and two brothers, Gerard Duffy, Jr. and Timothy Duffy.
Age 65 years, he was a native of Elizabeth, NJ and a resident of Mandeville, LA for the past 13 years. In 1961 he graduated from St. Benedict’s Prep School in Newark, NJ, where he received his varsity letter on the 1959-1960 undefeated Hall of Fame Cross Country and Track teams. He graduated in 1965 from St. Bonaventure University in Olean, NY, where he was on the varsity swim team and was Grand Knight of the Knights of Columbus College Council. A United States Marines Corp veteran, he served during the Vietnam Era. He flew 768 combat missions, made combat flight strike leader as a First Lieutenant in Vietnam, was named Flight Instructor of the year in 1970 for the VT-7 fixed wing jet aircraft and was Commanding Officer, 1984 to 1986, of HMM-767 which was named Reserve Squadron of the year in 1986. He retired from the Marine Corp as a full Colonel in 1992. In civilian life, Colonel Duffy was employed as the Area Manager for Petroleum Helicopters Inc. in Fourchon, LA, where he was employed for 25 years.
Relatives and friends of the family are invited to attend a Mass of Christian Burial on Wednesday, March 11, 2009 at 12:30 PM at Mary Queen of Peace Catholic Church, 1501 West Causeway Approach, Mandeville, LA 70471.
A wake will be held on Tuesday, March 10, 2009 from 6:00 to 9:00 PM at E.J. Fielding Funeral Home, 2260 West 21st Ave., Covington, LA 70433; visitation will resume on Wednesday at 11:00 AM, AT THE CHURCH.
A reception following Mass will be held at the family residence in Mandeville, LA.
Graveside services with Military Honors will be conducted on Thursday, March 12, 2009 at 11:00 AM at Barrancas National Cemetery, 80 Hovey Road, Pensacola, FL 32508.
A reception following graveside services will be held at the residence of Steve Brandt, 219 Thayer Avenue, Pensacola, FL 32507.
In lieu of flowers, the family would prefer donations to the annual fund at St. Benedict’s Preparatory School, 520 Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd, Newark, NJ 07102-1314.
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