Charles Patrick Duffy

Charles Patrick Duffy, age 90, passed away peacefully on August 27, in his bed, beside his wife Rita. Born on December 18, 1933, in Bronx, New York, he was a loving husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather.

Raised in the Bronx, Charlie attended Fordham university after high school. Encouraged by his cousin he went on blind date with a young Westchester County girl who would carry his heart for over 65 years. With a love of flying, inspired by his father, he joined the U.S Navy Air Force. Upon the disbandment of the naval Air Force his life changed course. Mabel Rita Weisgerber accepted his proposal of marriage in the fall of 1957, and he started law school the following year.

Driven by a strong work ethic he completed law school while working at Allstate Insurance company and digging graves. Charlie took the bar exam for the first time after graduating from law school and passed. A surprise to no one that has witnessed his intelligence and clarity of thought.

Charlie and Rita welcomed their first child, Sean, in September of 1959. They would continue to live with Rita's family in Yonkers through the birth of two more children, Suzanne, and Kathleen. To support his growing family Charles started his own law firm with a colleague Jim Dwyer and made the move to East Northport in Long Island, New York. Here they welcomed two more children, Patricia, and James.

Charles and Rita spent over 25 years in East Northport raising their children, boating on Long Island Sound, and vacationing at nearby Orient Point. His love for Rita and her love for travel took them all over the world. These adventures included sailing a schooner around the coast of Ireland, Heli-hiking in Alaska, white water rafting in Idaho, and cruising the Rhine in Europe.

In retirement the couple moved to Belvidere and Charlie started golfing and enjoyed multiple outings with the friends they made at the newly developed Brookfield Estates. Later Charlie developed a passion for gardening and often shared the fruits of his labor with his friends in Brookfield.

Charles is survived by his wife, Rita and their children, Suzanne (Timothy), Kathleen, Patricia (Tom) and James (Lynda); grandchildren Daniel, Kelly (Alex), Kevin, Colleen, Zachary, Aidan, and Emmett; great-grandchildren Bennett and Madison and his nieces and nephews as well as cherished friends. He was preceded in death by his beloved son Sean, his parents Rose and Charles and his sibling Patricia.

A Memorial Mass will be celebrated on Monday, September 30, 2024, at 1 pm at St. Patrick RC Church, 327 Greenwich St., Belvidere, NJ.