Joseph W Duff " Joe"

Joseph W. (Joe) Duff, 84,of Scotch Plains, died at Overlook Hospital on September 21. He is predeceased by his son, Jody, 52, in 2012, his son-in-law, Steve Berka, 59, in 2014, his parents, Joseph and Mary Sweeney Duff; and his younger brothers, J. Robert and W. Francis. Joe was born and raised in Orange, N.J. He graduated from Seton Hall Prep and University, having received full academic scholarships to both institutions. Upon graduation from college in 1952, he joined the Navy and went to Officers Candidate School in Newport, R.I. He was commissioned an Ensign in December, 1952, and married Mary Kathleen (Kay) Rummenie. He was assigned to the USS Strong (DD758) and was later transferred to the Commodore's Squadron Staff (DESRON 4) on the USS Barton (DD722). After his discharge from the Navy, he settled in Scotch Plains and was employed by Union Carbide Corporation. Joe received his MBA from Rutgers University in 1961 and then taught accounting part-time at the Rutgers night school in Newark for several years. In 1964 he joined Bristol Myers Squibb in NYC and ultimately became Director of Marketing Research Services in the Consumer Products Div., retiring in 1993.
In 1954 he joined the active Naval Reserve, serving in Port Newark, Elizabeth, Bayonne, Perth Amboy, the Brooklyn Navy Yard, and Fort Schuyler and had command of many Units at these locations. In 1986 he officially retired as a Captain, USNR. Since 1974, he volunteered as the U. S. Naval Academy Information Officer (Blue & Gold)at high schools in Union County and Seton Hall Prep advising and counseling students who desired to attend the Academy . He attended the Commissioning Ceremonies at the Academy of many of these young people.
Joe was very active in his parish church, St. Bartholomew the Apostle in Scotch Plains. He was a Lector for many years and a member of the Holy Name Society, having served as its president. Joe also supervised the annual Christmas Giving Tree. From its inception, Joe volunteered at the annual St. Bartholomew Italian Festival over Labor Day weekend. In 2007, Joe was named a Knight of St. Bartholomew to recognize his gifts of time, talent and treasure.
A very active member of the Scotch Plains community, Joe served in many capacities. He was a member of the Board of the SPF YMCA, and was President of the Board when the facility on Martine Avenue was dedicated. Joe was a member of the Board of Trustees of the Scotch Plains Public Library, serving as Treasurer and then as President for 5 years. He also served on the Boards of the Senior Citizens Advisory Committee and Senior Citizens Housing Auth. Joe was the Scotch Plains representative to the Community Dev. Comm. of the Union County Housing and Urban Devel. Comm. Joe chaired several SPF Memorial Day Parades, serving as Grand Marshall in 2000. In 1998, at the annual Scotch Plains Mayor's Gala, Joe was named the Male Volunteer of the Year.
Joe was an avid reader, and enjoyed his gardening. His most enjoyable times were spent travelling all over New Jersey and eastern Pennsylvania to watch his 10 grandchildren participate in football, basketball, soccer, softball,lacrosse,baseball, swim meets, dance recitals, and cheerleading competitions. He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Kay, 5 of their six children and spouses, and ten grandchildren, namely, Kevin and Elizabeth Duff of Hampton with Michael and Lauren Duff (St. Louis), Colleen and great granddaughter, Hayden, and Kelsey; Kathy E. Duff of Belleville; Ellen Berka of Fanwood with Katharine and Matthew ; Brian and Debra Duff of Toms River with Patrick (Belvidere) and Sean and Rachel (Brick); and Marianne and Michael Biffel of Downingtown, PA and Key Colony Beach, FL with Michael (New Orleans), Sarah (Marathon, FL), and Tucker (Atlanta, GA). He is also survived by his 2 sisters-in-law, Peggy Duff of Naples, FL, and Sue Rummenie of Buffalo, NY, his brother-in-law, Walter F. Rummenie of NYC, 6 nieces and nephews and 9 great nieces and nephews.
A funeral will be offered on Thursday September 25, 2014 at 10am from the Rossi Funeral Home 1937 Westfield Avenue Scotch Plains, followed by a Mass of Christian burial at 10:30 am at St. Bartholomew the Apostle Church Scotch Plains. Interment Hillside Cemetery also in Scotch Plains. Visitation will be on Wednesday September 24 from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. In lieu of flowers, please make donations in Joe's memory to Seton Hall Preparatory School, 120 Northfield Road, West Orange, NJ. 07052.