Rev. Jerome Duke

My goodness, a long time resident of Lakewood (after moving from NYC in 1999), I was looking for a decent school to place my youngest son Christopher, and happened to find SS Cyril and Methodius on Detroit Avenue. It was a marvelous school and Father Duke (as he was known by our family) was adored along with his mama's apple pie recipe that he treated us to every year. God bless, may you all find peace in knowing he is remembered and loved.

Fr. Duke was that special person everyone who met him was blessed and better for it. I had the extreme pleasure of having him confirm me in grade school and also marry me later in life to my wonderful wife. Our wedding was made very special because of this man. He made us laugh and cry during the ceremony. Father - I can't thank you enough for your friendship, guidance and general caring for my family and myself. Truly can't say that enough! I am sure you are up in Heaven, Cowboy boots...

Thank you Father Duke for all the fond memories. The Hughes Family. Always loved your cowboy boots and hat.

Fr. Duke was truly a Cleveland legend and a community pillar at SS. Cyril and Methodius. His stirring and relatable homilies, which he delivered with his characteristic booming voice and good (sometimes self-deprecating) humor, attracted crowds of Catholics from all over Lakewood (especially Birdtown and the East End) as well as Cleveland's West Side. In fact, when Fr. Duke was doing Mass, you knew it was going to be well-attended (even the early Sunday morning Masses). His homilies were not...

Oh Fr. Duke - I am so pleased that we were able to visit so often recently at Mt. St. Joseph! It was so good to catch up on those days when you were pastor and I was your chosen principal of SS C&M School.....so any good memories:) You had such a wonderful influence on both the Shakarian family and on the lovely SS. Cyril & Methodius families. So many of us followed you when you left SS. C&M. Fr. Duke, you have earned a place in many hearts forever. Enjoy the face of God ! - Berj and...

To the siblings, nieces and nephews of Father Duke, please accept my sincere condolences. Father Duke made a lasting impression on my Mother, myself and family. Julie and Josephine Smajdec pressed his priest garments and all linens for up on the alter over the years he was at St. Cyrl and Methodius. They enjoyed ever so much helping out with those duties over the years for him. He had a wonderful sense of humor and genuine sincerity and true please to talk to. He will be sorely miss by us...

The family of Father Jerry's Uncle Joe Duke sends condolences to everyone in Jerry's family. We always enjoyed visiting with him and he was a source of comfort to our family at our times of grief. May his memory be eternal. Judy, John, Jim, Bill and Dan Duke and families.

No one will ever be able to fill Fr. Duke's cowboy boots or hat for my family. I am sure one of the first greetings he received in his eternal life was from my grandmother. It was 'Ako sa más.' Supposedly the only thing she ever said to him in English when he first arrived at Sts. Cyril & Methodius rectory was 'you will have to learn Slovak.' There is no way I can mention all the reasons we loved him, but this one alone would have put him at the very top of our list. When my father died...

Father Duke performed my sister´s wedding in 1971. He later baptized my son. He was a wonderful man. Mary McGrath