John Duffy Obituary

Dr. John J. Duffy, Jr. COLUMBIA - John Joseph Duffy, widower of Marcia Tinkham Duffy, died September 1, 2014 at the age of 83, in his home surrounded by family and friends. He was a devoted husband and father, a gifted administrator, a passionate historian, and, especially, a teacher. A memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday at the Leevy's Funeral Home, Taylor Street Chapel. Casual Gamecock attire is considered to be in good taste. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the John J. Duffy Endowment Fund for Teaching Excellence, a University of South Carolina regional campus award for outstanding teaching. Memorials may be addressed to: The USC Educational Foundation, Account #1A1352, 1600 Hampton St., University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC 29208. John was born and raised in Charleston, graduated Bishop England High School in 1948, attended Fordham University and the College of Charleston (B.S. History 1952). After serving in the army in Germany from 1954 to 1956, he returned to graduate school at the University of South Carolina (Ph.D. History 1963). He was named the first Resident Director of the Beaufort campus of the University of South Carolina in 1959, the same year he married his beautiful wife. He also taught history and political science at the campus. In 1966 he was called to Columbia to assist with the growth of the regional campus system. In 1977 he became System Vice President for University Campuses and Continuing Education (later Chancellor, later Vice Provost and Executive Dean), a position that allowed him to promote his ideal of higher education that would be available to all the people of South Carolina, regardless of age, geographical, or economic limitations. He attended virtually every graduation ceremony at all of the campuses and took great joy in shaking the hand of each graduate. He took particular joy in seeing inmates at the prisons receive college degrees. In 1994 he was named Interim Dean for Applied Professional Sciences, and he held both positions until his retirement in 1998. He received numerous professional distinctions, including Beaufort's Young Man of the Year in 1965, the USC Educational Foundation Distinguished Service Award for 1989, and the Black Faculty and Staff Association Affirmative Action Award for 1993-1994. He served as president of Phi Beta Kappa, the Southern Historical Association, the South Carolina Historical Association, and the Caroliniana Society. He was one of the founders of the National Conference of Regional and Branch Campus Administrators. He published articles on South Carolina history and was a nationally recognized expert in distance education. He travelled extensively as a consultant for higher education accreditation organizations. He particularly enjoyed compiling oral interviews for the South Caroliniana Library, including ones of Senators John Martin, Ed Saleeby, and Jim Waddell. In addition to his numerous administrative duties, he also taught United States history at USC, sharing his love for Woodrow Wilson, the Roosevelts, and all progressive policymakers. He loved to share his knowledge with others. If anyone asked him a question about history, they could count on a fifty-minute answer. Professor Duffy was likely to hand them a hefty book to take home for additional reading as well. He often stated, "You don't have to know everything, you just have to know where to look it up." Dr. Duffy had the uncommon ability to read dusty tomes on any subject while the television blared and his young children argued loudly in the same room. John and Marcia made their longtime home on Harden Street near Five Points, a place where everyone was welcome. People of all ages, opinions, and social status entered the home through the unlocked door, where they were guaranteed a drink and a lively civil discussion on varied topics. He loved to travel. He made an extended educational trip to Eastern Europe and Siberia in the early 70's and he travelled with his wife to France, England, Prince Edward Island and California. He travelled to Spain, Ireland, Cuba, Ecuador, Colombia, Japan, Singapore, Indonesia, and Malaysia. Any questions about his trip usually involved a description of the food eaten, as well as the history he had learned. John was generous with his time, expertise, and resources. He liberally supported the University of South Carolina, the Democratic Party and its candidates. He enjoyed watching Jeopardy!, and continued to correctly answer the most obscure questions shortly before this death. Dr. Duffy, aka John, Dr. D, Dad, Daddy, Poppy, Johnny, Dean, Professor, Chancellor, Emperor, leaves behind a wealth of friends, students, former employees, and relatives who shared a mutual love and admiration. There are thousands of graduates who would never have received an advanced degree if it were not for him. The family would like to thank all of the friends who visited, wrote, and called during his illness, as well as Dr. Charles Butler and his staff at SC Oncology Associates. Palmetto Health Hospice also provided excellent in-home support, along with nurse friends Roslyn Clark, Cameron Mitchum, and Katy Thomas. In addition to his wife, he was predeceased by his parents, John Joseph Duffy, II and Mary Magdalene McMahon Duffy; brothers, Monsignor Thomas R. Duffy and Jeremiah B. Duffy; and brothers-in-law, William R. Mitchum and Cecil Creech; and a sister-in-law, Eleanor (Ellie) Tinkham Creech. He is survived by: his children - daughters, Katharine Duffy Thomas (Robert J., Jr.) and Eleanor Duffy Cleary (Vivian "Paul"); son, John J. Duffy IV (William F. Edmiston); grandchildren, Robert J. Thomas (Katy), Joseph D. Thomas, Mark A. Thomas, and Roslyn M. Cleary; and great-grandchildren, Gabriel, Brendon and Daniel Thomas, all of Columbia, SC. He is also survived by: sisters, Ann Duffy Mitchum of Charleston, SC and Patricia Duffy DiBiase (Gene Frederick), of Jacksonville, FL; sister-in-law, Barbara McCarthy Duffy, of Valparaiso, FL; brother-in-law, A. D. Tinkham, of Key West, FL; and numerous beloved nieces, nephews, and cousins. Visit our guestbook at www.legacy.com/obituaries/ charleston