John Edward Duffy

John Edward Duffy, age 89, of Edmonds, WA passed away on April 7, 2018 in Edmonds, WA. John was born on October 23, 1928 in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin to James and Clara Duffy. John was preceded in death by his parents, his sisters, Patricia (Patty) Paulos and Mary McCabe, his loving wife, Alice (Lantz), his sons Mike and Danny and grandson, Kyle Duffy. He is survived by his daughter and two sons, Mary Reber, John Brian Duffy (Mary) and Patrick Duffy. John has 4 grandchildren, Sean Duffy, Christie Gochanour, James Reber and Caitlin Thayil (Daryl), and step-grandchildren Steven Dreke and Julie Smith (Paden). He also has 2 great-granddaughters, Jordynn (10) and LaRue (Lulu) (3). John was a military veteran and served in the U. S. Army, stationed in Kyoto Japan with occupying forces after the end of World War II. After receiving an honorable discharge, he married Alice Lantz in 1952. John completed his B.A. degree at St. Norbert's College in DePere, Wisconsin and began a teaching career in Campbellsport, Wisconsin. After a few years of teaching, John started a career in pharmaceutical sales at Mead Johnson/Bristol-Myers/Squibb. John and Alice had some wonderful and memorable trips to places including Jamaica, England, Ireland and Hawaii and were blessed with a wonderful marriage of 50 years. It was important to both John and Alice to have great family memories, so we would take family trips to dude ranches in eastern Washington and looked forward to those every year with the grandchildren. He always made sure everyone was having a wonderful time. John’s love for the Pacific Northwest began after he was briefly stationed at Fort Lawton in 1946. He decided then that he would someday love to move to the Seattle area. When the opportunity arose in 1975 he and Alice moved the family from Mt. Prospect, Illinois to Edmonds, WA, where he retired, after a 38 year career, in 1993. John was a beloved husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather. He was also a wonderful caretaker to our mother when she fell ill and was a stellar example of servanthood to his children and grandchildren. He loved his family dearly and enjoyed his grandchildren and great grand-children immensely. Everyone who knew John, or came in contact with him appreciated his sense of humor and kind and loving spirit. He was a member of Holy Rosary Parish in Edmonds, and a strong man of faith. His Funeral Mass will be Monday, April 23rd at 11:00am at Holy Rosary Church in Edmonds. This will be followed by a luncheon, and the interment will take place immediately after at Holyrood Cemetery with military honor guard. Donations in memory of John may be made to Catholic Community Services of Western Washington at ccsww.org or St. Thomas More Parish School at stms.org