Joseph Arthur Duffy

Joseph Arthur Duffy, 87, passed away at St. Peter Hospital on July 14, 2018 surrounded by loved ones after a heroic fight with anaplastic thyroid cancer. He was born on December 31, 1930 to Mildred and Arthur Duffy in Scranton, Pennsylvania. Joe was preceded in death by his parents; his brother, Ronald; and his son, Kelly. Joe is survived by his wife of 68 years, Carol; his children, Deb Waldherr (Gary), Cathy Thielen (Tim), Joe Duffy (Sandy), Wade Duffy (Anne), Nellie Boyd (Kelly), Richard Duffy (Peggy Sue); grandchildren, Amy Penn, Ann Holiday, Morgan Cupp, Carol Alexander (Paul), Julie Wyatt (Nick), Josh Duffy, Brendan Duffy, Zach Duffy, Gabe Duffy, Arthur Duffy, Jacob Duffy; 10 great grandchildren; three great-great grandchildren and his sister, Betty Lou Macinsky. After turning 18, Joe enlisted in the U.S. Army. Upon being transferred to Ft. Lewis, Joe and some buddies drove to Olympia on December 2, 1949 to buy a car. They bought a car and saw a sign that said there was a free dance the next day. Joe and his buddies returned to Olympia the next day and went to the dance at the Eagle's, looking for romance; that is where Joe met the love of his life, Carol. They were married on July 11, 1950 and, in August, Joe was shipped out to fight in the Korean War where he drove half-tracks and tanks. In the 13 months Joe was in Korea, he fought in five of the six major battles and survived the most savage and deadly of them all, the Battle at the Chosin Reservoir in North Korea. Later Joe worked in car sales for many years. At the age of 40, Joe took up a past sport, running. While in high school, Joe set a state record for running 100 yards in 9.9 seconds. Shortly after taking up running again, Joe ran 100 yards in 10.5 seconds and from there he would travel to races all over the Northwest. He soon qualified for the Boston Marathon and was later ranked as an elite National Masters runner. Joe formed a local running club, "Saturday Morning Live," where he shared his passion for running with the community. Joe loved camping, boating, and skiing with his wife and seven children. He had a great sense of humor and was extremely smart. He could tell you history, trivia and interesting facts about most anything. Joe was a past president of the Eagles and Capital City Marathon, and was instrumental in starting the Senior Patrol Program with the Lacey Police Department. If you're ever out on a walk, run or bike ride on East Bay Drive and need a place to rest and get some water, be sure to stop by the fountain and bench that were dedicated to Joe for his many years of dedication to helping others in the running community.