Atty. Thomas J. Duffey

Duffey, Atty. Thomas J. Child of the Depression, veteran of the Navy, member of the Bar, servant of the public and patriarch to generations of Duffeys, Thomas J. Duffey was a man of deep faith who went to his Heaven on a Sunday morning, December 18, 2016, and is now reunited with his beloved wife of 56 years, Joanne. His career was a remarkable American journey through government and labor law, but his journey always brought him home to his true life's work, his family. He is missed, celebrated and survived by his nine loving children, Joseph (Trish), Maureen (Hugh) Nelson, Thomas (Eileen), Monica, Tessa (John) Gingrass, Anne (Andrew) Bolles, Katie (Dave) Moore, Daniel (Kristin), and Peter (Mary Pat), his 21 cherished grandchildren, Michael (Morgan), Erin (Matt) and Matt (Erika) Duffey, Molly (Pat) and Charles Nelson, John (Ellie), Kevin (Jane), Patrick (Christine) and Tommy (Jordan) Duffey, Colette (Daniel), Jack and Drew Gingrass, Willy, A.J., and Charlie Bolles, Melanie and Jack Moore, Ryan and Sean Duffey, and Margaret and Dylan Duffey, and his six adored great-grandchildren, Will, Caroline, Natalie, Ericka, Teddy and Agnes. Thomas will be further remembered by other relatives, friends and colleagues. He was born on December 26th, 1927, graduated from Marquette University High School, enlisted in the Navy at 17, and after the war received his undergraduate and law degrees from Marquette University, making him, in the jargon of Marquette, "a Loyal 3M'r." It was also at Marquette that he met Joanne, and he later described the day they married as the happiest moment of his life. "All that followed," he said, "followed from that bond." Visitation will take place on what would have been his 89th birthday, Monday, December 26, 2016, beginning at 3:00 PM at St. Jude the Apostle Church, 734 Glenview Ave., Wauwatosa, until the Mass of Christian Burial at 5:00 PM. Private burial at Holy Cross Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials in Thomas' name may be given to St. Coletta of Wisconsin, W4955 Highway 18, Jefferson, Wisconsin 53549.