Thomas Joseph Duffy

Thomas Joseph Duffy, a man who enjoyed his family, a good book, his football and his time on the coast of Maine, died Sept. 9, 2011, at the age of 68 of complications from pulmonary fibrosis. Duffy, of Roswell, Ga., was born on August 10, 1943, in Columbus, Ohio. He enjoyed telling his family tales of life growing up in the city, including walking to school through snowstorms during the winters and other tall tales. He was an accomplished football player in high school and graduated from Harvard University in 1965. Duffy met Barbara Swanton during college and the two married in April 1966. They celebrated 47 years together. Duffy worked for many years at International Harvester in various locations across the Midwest and South. He and his family settled down in Roswell, Ga., in 1978. He also worked for Volvo White before retiring from the Internal Revenue Service, as a manager in their call center in Chamblee, Ga. Duffy loved college football and any other sport, so long as it was played with a ball—often watching from a giant, green recliner big enough for two to three grandchildren. Other hobbies included pruning Bonsai trees and working on Suduko puzzles. Duffy also enjoyed bird watching from bird feeders next to his big, green recliner. Grandchildren were delighted when they could help “Grampy” fill the birdfeeders with seeds for the many birds that would visit the window. Perhaps more than anything, Duffy loved travelling every summer to a small cottage that sits on the tidal waters of Westport Island, Maine. For many years, he would “open” the cottage in May and see what troubles had arisen over the snowy, windswept winter. He enjoyed fixing the skewed doorjambs and loose boards that would inevitably greet the summer guests. The “houseboat” will surely miss his calm, steady presence on its screened porch overlooking the Sheepscot River. Duffy leaves behind a beloved wife, Barbara, and five wonderful children, Ann Duffy, Kathy Khanjar, Rebecca Bush, Martha Gardner and John Duffy. His children have all married equally wonderful spouses who, in turn, have produced 11 grandchildren so far: Lydia and Jake Duffy; Niya, Trent, Brin, Reeve and Ford Khanjar; Aidan, Finley and Amelia Bush. The latest grandchild, Leo Duffy, came into the world on the day his grandfather departed. The funeral service will be held Tuesday, September 13, at 10 a.m. at St. Thomas Aquinas in Alpharetta, GA. In lieu of flowers, the Duffy family asks for donations to North Fulton Community Charities, 11270 Elkins Road, Roswell, Ga. 30076, www.nfcchelp.org .The Duffy family will receive friends on Monday, September 12, from 6 to 8 p.m. at Northside Chapel Funeral Directors, Roswell 770-645-1414 www.northsidechapel.com

Thomas Joseph Duffy

August 10, 1943 - September 9, 2011