Walter H. "Bud" Duffy

Walter Hugh “Bud” Duffy, Jr. age 97, of Saranac Lake, passed away peacefully Saturday, August 16, 2025 at the Adirondack Medical Center.

Born in Saranac Lake, New York on May 7, 1928, he was the son of Walter and Margaret (Burke) Duffy. Walter married Charlann Mooney on Saturday, November 5, 1955 in Buffalo, NY.

Bud was a lifelong resident of Saranac Lake. He attended St. Bernard’s School and graduated from Saranac Lake High School. He is a veteran of World War II and while in service he attended the University of Delaware under the Army Specialized Training Program, after which he served with the 86th Infantry Division and the 91st infantry Regimental Combat Team stationed in the Philippine Islands.

Upon his return from military service Bud was associated with Wilson Clothing Co. of Saranac Lake for 38 years; becoming manager and partner in the firm. In 1985 he became affiliated with the National Army Store in Saranac Lake until its closing in 1992. He was semi­-retired and served as a Tourist Information Specialist with the Saranac Lake Area Chamber of Commerce for 14 years, until his retirement in 2007. He was named the King of the Saranac Lake Winter Carnival in 2002.

Bud was a lector and choir member of St Bernard's Church and a former member of St. Bernard’s Parish Council. He was a former Treasurer and a board member of the Saranac Lake Area Chamber of Commerce for several years and he served on the Board of Directors of the General Hospital of Saranac Lake. For 24 years Bud volunteered for the Meals-On-Wheels program in Saranac Lake. He also was a former member and past President and Treasurer of the Saranac Lake Lions Club and a member of the Knights of Columbus 4th degree. Bud was named a Melvin Jones Fellow by Lions Club International Foundation in 1993.

Bud is survived by his wife Charlann Duffy of Saranac Lake, two daughters Marybeth (Allen) Hoyt of Saranac Lake, Ann (Michael) Talbot of Grand Isle, VT; four sons John (Deborah) Duffy of Jupiter, FL, James (Julia) Duffy of Danbury, CT, Thomas (Eva) Duffy of Shelton, CT and Walter Duffy, III of Asheboro, NC; eleven grandchildren: Kiera (Joseph) Vanasse and Ian (Dayna) Duffy, Erica Beth (Peter) Casselman and Greg (Frances) Hoyt, Sarah (Brian) Scagliarini, Paul (Lea) Duffy and Bridget (Ryan) Fitzpatrick, Molly and Megan Duffy, and Jack and Owen Talbot; ten great grandchildren: Coralie and Indigo Vanasse, Beckett and Maeve Duffy, Vivian Casselman and Hattie Hoyt, Rose and Benjamin Scagliarini and Natalie and Dylan Duffy; and one sister Margaret Salamy of Tupper Lake. He was predeceased by one son Paul Duffy, two sisters and three brother-in-laws, Mary Theresa and Clyde Baker, Patricia Ann and Tom Oddy and Tom Salamy.

Calling hours will take place at the Fortune-Keough Funeral Home in Saranac Lake from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM on Friday August 22, 2025. A Mass of Christian Burial will take place at 11:00 AM on Saturday, August 23, 2025 at St. Bernard's Church, with Rev. John Yonkovig officiating. Burial will follow at St. Bernard Cemetery in Saranac Lake.

Friends wishing to remember Walter Hugh Duffy Jr. may make memorial contributions to St. Bernard’s School and Saranac Lake Rescue in care of the funeral home. Family and friends can also share their condolences and memories online at fortunekeoughfuneralhome.com.