Obituary of William Owen Duffy
Smethport- William Owen Duffy, 89, of Erie, formerly of Smethport, died Tuesday, May 29, 2018 in Walnut Creek Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center, Erie, PA.
Bill, “The Bird” Duffy was born on May 22, 1929 in Smethport, PA the oldest son of five children of Francis and Margaret Duffy. On December 17, 1963 in St. Elizabeth of Hungary Roman Catholic Church he married Judith Diane Pringle and they remained married for over 50 years.
Bill was a graduate of Smethport High School and shortly after graduation enlisted in the United States Air Force in 1950 serving overseas during the Korean War. He re-enlisted in the Air Force in 1958 and received several commendations during his eight years of service including the Korean Service Medal, the U.N. Service Medal and the National Defense Service Medal. After his discharge from the Air Force, Bill returned to Smethport and with his wife Judy’s support began a logging business which they ran for over 40 years while raising ten children. Throughout his years in the logging industry, Bill was able to work alongside his brother Jim Duffy on countless projects and log jobs becoming very close throughout those years and the best of brothers through the good times and bad.
As a youth, Bill was an avid hunter, fisherman, trapper and developed a lifelong passion for rifles and shooting. He was a lifetime member of the NRA and later in life joined the Caste Bullet Association winning several shooting competitions. Bill was also a member of the American Legion Post #138 and the VFW post #2497, Smethport. As well, he was member of the Italian American Progressive Club, Bradford and the Ancient Order of Hibernians, Dubois, PA. He was an avid Boston Celtics fan and enjoyed watching the New York Yankees and Buffalo Bills with Judy and Gunsmoke with his nephew Jim “Chumley” Duffy and his family. His favorite football player was Joe Montana because Bill appreciated Montana as the only man who was injured at work more than him and who also survived to go to work another day.
Bill is survived by 10 children including five sons: Matthew of Girard, PA, Daniel of Colorado Springs, CO, Mark of Clemson, SC, William of Bradford, PA and Charles of San Antonio, TX; five daughters, Kathleen Luce of Olean, NY, Patricia Kabir of Campobello, SC, Nora Buterbaugh of Erie, PA, Bridget Grohe of Milton, PA and Frances Duffy of Syracuse, NY; two sisters, Mary Elizabeth Dibble and Patrica Rogge both of Smethport; 19 grandchildren, five great grandchildren and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife Judith and one son, Owen William Duffy, one brother, James Duffy of Smethport and one sister, Judy Fink of Tucson, AZ.
Visitation will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. on Friday, June 8th at the Hartle-Tarbox Funeral Homes Inc., 2 Bank St., Smethport with a Mass of Christian Burial on Saturday, June 9th at 10:00 a.m. at St. Elizabeth of Hungary Roman Catholic Church, Smethport, PA.
Memorials if desired, may be made to the Hamlin Memorial Library, 123 Mechanic St., Smethport, PA 16749.
Arrangements are under the direction of the Hartle-Tarbox Funeral Homes Inc., Smethport.
Online condolences may be made at www.hartle-tarboxfuneralhomes.com