Benedict James Duffy Jr. ’41

On Jan. 18, 2005, we lost Ben, one of the most popular men in our class.

Born in Rochester, N.Y., he attended the Aquinas Institute. Ben majored in modern languages at Princeton and graduated with high honors. He played freshman and JV football and rugby. He was secretary of the Triangle Club, where he starred with Barney Ross; was program director of Princeton Summer Camp; and joined Charter. His roommates were Ross, Kennedy, Green, Barton, and Cawley '42.

After graduation, Ben went to the University of Rochester Medical School before serving in the Navy for two years with stints in the Orient, Europe, and South America. Returning to Rochester, Ben became involved in medical research in atomic energy. This led to a distinguished career at Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, the London School of Hygiene, Georgetown Medical School, and Seton Hall Medical School, culminating with 24 years as a professor at Tufts Medical School. Ben maintained his involvement in the theater, as did his wife. He also was an oblate at Glastonbury Abbey and a volunteer at Pine Street Inn in Boston.

Ben is survived by his wife of more than 52 years, Alice Boyle Duffy; two daughters, Katherine and Clare Lewis Duffy; son Benedict III; and three grandchildren. We have lost a remarkable man!

The Class of 1941