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John Duffett Obituary
He was born Oct. 1, 1927, in Concord, to Thomas and Mary (Ledrew) Duffett who emigrated from Newfoundland. He grew up in Concord and graduated in 1945 from Concord High School, where he lettered in football, basketball, and baseball and was a captain of the basketball and baseball teams.
After graduation, he served in the U.S. Coast Guard as a seaman during World War II. Following his return, he earned a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering from the University of New Hampshire in 1951. He participated in the ROTC program while at UNH and entered the U.S. Air Force upon graduation. He served as a First Lieutenant during the Korean War on an island off Okinawa.
After returning from duty, John married Jean Holmes of Henniker on Aug. 22, 1953. He was first employed as an engineer for IBM in Newton, Mass., and then for Public Service Company of New Hampshire, starting in 1954 in the engineering division in Manchester. Over the next 36 years he served in a number of management positions for PSNH in Keene and Manchester, retiring in 1990 as president and CEO and chairman of the PSNH Board of Directors.
He was a Registered Professional Engineer and a member of the Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers.
John was a former member of the Keene and Manchester Rotary Clubs and the Bedford Lions Club. He served as an incorporator of Cheshire Hospital and Catholic Medical Center, as well as president of the Keene Regional Industrial Foundation and the Monadnock United Way. He was a director of the Keene National Bank, Yankee Atomic Electric Company, New Hampshire Business Development Corporation, and Manchester Associates.
He enjoyed woodworking, making many tables and other items, and rebuilding the family cottage at Lake Massasecum in Bradford, where he spent many enjoyable summers. After retiring, he also spent relaxing winters in Siesta Key, Fla.
Surviving family members include his loving wife of 62 years, Jean; daughter, Joan Bennett and her husband, Dick, of Manchester; son, Steven Duffett and his wife, Paulette, of Dover, Mass.; daughter, Linda DeMeo and her husband, John, of Cary, N.C.; his grandchildren, John and Robert Bennett, Carlton and Danielle Duffett, Michael DeMeo and his wife, Kelsy and Steven DeMeo; his sister, Elizabeth Horton and her husband, Edward of Brookline, Mass.; and many nieces and nephews.
He was predeceased by his sisters, Doris Cushing, Vida Everett, Jessye Clark, Ellie Smith and Nancy Strong and brothers, Herbert and Thomas Duffett.
A reception and celebration of John's remarkable life will be held on Wednesday, Sept. 2, from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Puritan Conference Center in Manchester.
Donations may be made in memory of John Duffett to the Boys & Girls Club of Manchester, 555 Union St., Manchester, NH 03104.
Please visit goodwinfh.com to sign the online guestbook.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for John Duffett
Tim Gibney
August 28, 2022
I will always remember John as the man who took a chance on me, hiring me as his staff assistant. He was always patient, kind and instructive. Someone to admire and hope to be half the man. Thank you, John.
Tim Gibney
August 21, 2021
I remember getting hired by John as his assistant to do the consolidation studies and represent Ops on committees. We'd sometimes have lunch together at Friendly's and I appreciated his advise and counsel. He told me I was the most persistent person he had encountered in my efforts to get him to hire me.
He made it possible for my Wife, Kathy, and kids to make a great life in NH.
September 12, 2015
Dear Jean,
I am very saddened to hear of your loss. John was a very special person to me in that he gave me a start by hiring me as a staff assistant to him in 1977. He helped me a long and coached me with kindness and every consideration. I am forever grateful.
(One personal kindness to me was when my Wife, Kathy, broke her leg skiing and I left work to only find my old car wouldn't start. I was a mess and John calmed me down, handed over his car keys and sent me on my way to Laconia. When I returned the car you both asked me to sit down and fed me. I don't even know if was able to fill you car with gas.... So thank you again!!)
In any event my sincere and kind wishes to you during this time of grief. We were all very, very lucky to have known John. I will always remember the man as someone special in my life. God bless you and all of your family.
Sincerely,
Tim Gibney
Marsha & Richard Mohan
September 8, 2015
Dear Jean, our sadness and prayers are with you and your family. It is a great loss. John will be missed by all who knew him. There are no words to
Express our sympathy. What a wonderful gentlemen, fortunate to have known him.
Mark Strohman
September 6, 2015
I am very saddened to hear of John's passing. I enjoyed working with John in his many positions at PSNH. In my early years at PSNH, I use to cross paths with John at Dunkin Donuts or Perrilo's for lunch. He was very approachable and cared about the employees. Please accept my condolences.
Brenda Connor
August 29, 2015
So sorry.
August 29, 2015
Dear Jean:
So sorry for the loss of your dear husband John. I just read about it in the Union Leader, on line. We were tennis team members at the Allard Ctre. many yrs. ago, remember?
Condolences to you and your family.
Thelma Ellerin, Rutland, Vt.
Eleanor DuBois
August 28, 2015
John will be missed at all the family gatherings. My heart goes out to Jean and her family. You touched the lives of so many people that your spirit will always live on. You were a wonderful husband to Jean, a loving father to your children and a fantastic grandfather to all of your grandchildren. You will always live in our hearts.
June Tucker
August 28, 2015
I have known Johnnie Duffett since grade school. I will miss him dearly.
June Tucker
Richard Cross
August 27, 2015
It was a pleasure to have known such a kind caring person during my years with PSNH.Prayers for all the family.Sincerely,Richard F. Cross
Jack St Cyr
August 27, 2015
To John's family; I wish that you have great comfort in the fact the he was a very compassionate man who was very aware of what the people who worked with him were dealing with. In 1968 I was activated into active duty to report to Viet Nam. He was my Electrical Superintendent at the time & treated me & my former wife as well as anyone could have expected. He is one of the nicest, caring people who I have ever known. My thoughts are with you now. God Bless
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