WESTERLO — Martin Gerard Duffy “shook hands with JFK and conducted himself with that man’s vision of public service and patriotism,” his family wrote in a tribute. He “entered Eternal Life” on Sunday, June 6, 2021 at his Westerlo home. He was 70.

He was born on March 1, 1951, and grew up in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn, the son of Bernard Duffy and Margaret Burke.

“Martin lived an extraordinary life,” his family wrote. “As a young man, Martin worked tirelessly for the survival and success of his family’s business — Duffy’s Tavern — in Brooklyn. He completed undergraduate and graduate degrees from City College of New York, drove a cab, served as tugboat crew, delivered mail, wrote plays, instructed English composition at Hudson Valley Community College, and served the public in the Civil Service in various housing authorities.

“This man was jovial, brilliant, clever, and energetic. He enjoyed the works of Eugene O’Neill, James Joyce, Joseph Campbell, Ray Bradbury, and loved to talk about the great works of film and literature. He was a gifted storyteller and an inspiring teacher. Most importantly of all, Martin was a wonderful friend, and an unforgettable mentor, and loving grandfather.

“Martin will always remain forever loved and missed by his wife and three children.”

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Martin Gerard Duffy is survived by his wife, Maureen Hoey Duffy; by his three children, Bernard John Duffy and his wife, Molly, Maureen Emily Strode and her husband, Ray, and Martin Joseph Duffy and his wife, Danielle; and by his four grandchildren, Bernard Francis, Caitlin, Margaret, and Rose.

He is also survived by his sisters, Margaret Patterso and Mary McClellan and her husband, Tom.

Relatives and friends are invited to visit with his family on Thursday, June 10, from 4 to 7 p.m. at the McVeigh Funeral Home at 208 North Allen Street in Albany. Visitors are to enter the funeral home only from the rear parking-lot doorway and unvaccinated visitors must wear a mask and practice social distancing.

Funeral services will be held on Friday, June 11, at 9:30 a.m. at the Parish of Mater Christi in Albany where a Funeral Mass will be celebrated. The church is to be entered only from the parking-lot doorway; masks and social distancing are required. The Mass may be viewed at YouTube.com/C.ParishofMaterChristi.

The Rite of Committal will be held at Greenville Cemetery in Greenville immediately following the Mass.

Memorial messages may be left at www.altamontenterprise.com/milestones.

Memorial contributions may be made to either Habitat for Humanity Capital District, 207 Sheridan Ave., Albany, NY 12210 or St. Anthony Shrine, 100 Arch Street, Boston, MA 02110.