Hugh Browning Duckwall

1950 - 2022

Hugh Browning Duckwall

RANDOLPH - Hugh Browning Duckwall, 72, of Heather Lane, Randolph, Town of Napoli, passed away at 11:57 p.m. Monday (April 25, 2022) at UPMC-Hamot Medical Center in Erie, Pa.

Hugh was born Jan. 19, 1950, in Fredericksburg, Va., the son of the late Lewis and Lois Odwell Duckwall.

He was a graduate of Pine Valley Central School and received his bachelor's degree in education in 1972 from the State University of New York at Fredonia, where he was also on the track team.

Hugh retired in 2003 from Cattaraugus-Little Valley Central School, where he was a teacher, coach and mentor. An advocate for children, Mr. Duckwall knew firsthand that sports were instrumental in reaching young people. It was for many the only thing keeping them in school. His passion for 50 years was, "reaching them through teaching them" and this was his lifelong passion and gift.

Coach Duckwall also worked for the Buffalo Bills in guest services and had been a free-lance writer for years with the Salamanca Press covering the Buffalo Sabres and for Screaming Sports.

He was a member of the Catt-LV Teachers Association and a former union representative. He chaired for many years the annual TCA and All Sports Boosters Golf Tournament. He also coached in the Jim Kelly Annual Football Camp and was an inductee in the Cattaraugus County Sports Hall of Fame.

Hugh enjoyed golfing, hunting, coaching and most importantly spending time with his family.

He is survived by his wife of 42 years, Kathleen Jackson Duckwall, whom he married Feb. 15, 1980, in Mansfield; three daughters, Tiffany (Shawn) Morton of Little Valley, Rebecca (Mark) Schulz of Lakeville, Minn. and Jackie (Matt) Duckwall-Bosworth of Hornell; three sons, Matthew (Rachel) Steinbroner of Newtown, Conn., Christopher Shackelford of Pleasanton, Calif. and Jared Duckwall of Randolph; 17 grandchildren; and in-laws, Joan Duckwall of Ballston Spa and Al Dorey of Nova Scotia; as well as many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Lewis and Lois; a sister, Cam Dorey; and brother, Larry Duckwall.

As per Hugh's wishes, visitation will not be observed. A Celebration of life will be held at a later date and will be announced by the VanRensselaer & Son Funeral Home, 14 Church St., Randolph.

Memorials if desired may be sent to the Hunters Hope Foundation, 6368 West Quaker Road, Orchard Park, NY 14127; or to the Cattaraugus–Little Valley Sports Boosters Club, 25 N. Franklin St., Cattaraugus, NY 14719.

To leave a condolence log onto www.vanrensselaerandsonfuneralhome.com.