On Tuesday night, May 27th, we said a final goodbye to Philip Duffy. Philip passed from complications of Parkinson’s Disease but was in no pain and surrounded by love. Until the end, he fought for every ounce of life and held onto his fierce independence.
Philip was born on April 1st, 1938. He was the fourth of Catherine and John Duffy’s seven children. From a young age, he worked on a dairy farm in Hadley Massachusetts. He went on to graduate from Providence College. In 1959, he met the love of his life, Carole Zak Duffy. He spotted her across the room and told his friend, “I’m going to marry that girl.” Two years later, this young Naval Officer and his bride were married! Their 64 year-marriage took them to more than seven states and withstood six lengthy deployments. Philip and Carole have three children – Chris, Carole Lynn, and Suzanne. Philip adored being grandfather to his five grandchildren. Chris and his wife Tricia are parents to Samantha, Jack and Ryan. Suzanne and her husband Matt Friedman are the parents of Connor and Julia Friedman. Philip recently celebrated the new title of great grandfather as Samantha and her husband Bret Noel welcomed a baby girl.
We are all very proud of Dad’s remarkable Navy career as a pilot, an officer, and a leader. During his early career he followed his passion for flying and served as a flight instructor and a recovery pilot for the astronaut recovery program for Mercury 7. He then served two back-to-back tours in Viet Nam flying recovery and support missions. He went on to graduate from the Naval Post Graduate School and was selected to become the Commanding Officer of helicopter squadron HC-3 in San Diego, the youngest CO in the Navy. He soon became the Air Boss of the USS New Orleans (LPH-11), then Wing Commander, before taking command of the USS New Orleans as its Captain. He then took command of the USS Tarawa (LHA-1) off the coast of Lebanon. In 1985, he became the first H-46 helicopter pilot to achieve the rank of Admiral. He commanded the U.S. Naval Forces Central Command in Hawaii. Philip retired as Commander of the Training Command for Atlantic Fleet in Norfolk. Throughout his 32-year career, he tirelessly served our country and was driven to protect democracy all over the world.
In his free time, Philip loved hunting and fishing. Later in life he took up woodturning and spent the last 15 years making beautiful wooden bowls, platters, and custom pens that he sold at craft fairs and gifted to family and friends.
There will be a Catholic Mass in Philip’s honor when his family gathers this July for the Duffy Family Reunion in Hadley, Massachusetts. In August, he will be honored again at an interment service at Quantico National Cemetery where he will be laid to rest.
Official Obit
RDML Phillip F. Duffy, USN (Ret.)