John H. Duys III ’49

Jack Duys, a tobacco merchant who had been lost to us and to Princeton since our 30th reunion, died June 19, 1998, in Miami.

Jack was born in Larchmont, N.Y., to the late Anna and John H. Jr. '25, of Havana, Cuba, and attended the Lawrenceville School before coming to Princeton. He majored in economics and was a member of Terrace Club. Following Princeton, he entered the family business, H. Duys & Co. Havana Tobacco, and remained there until 1960.

During 1951-52 Jack served in the Korean War as an instrument sergeant for a mortar platoon, then retired to civilian life and the family company. He married Diane Putnam Colman in 1954, and they visited many countries throughout Europe so that he could learn that aspect of tobacco marketing. Jack remained active in the tobacco business for many years, in NYC, the Philippines, and the Dominican Republic, and they lived wherever it was prudent at the time.

Diane describes Jack as "a kind and generous person, whose Sundays at the Manila Polo Club, devoted to the family's horseback riding, are fondly remembered." Jack is survived by his loving family -- Diane, son John, daughters Kathryn, Diana, and Anna, and grandchildren James, Nicolas, and Thalia. To them all, we extend our most sincere sympathies.

The Class of 1949