Col.Duffy

I was a Crew Chief for Col. Duffy on a number of flights when he was in the Marine Reserves in HML-767 in New Orleans, LA. Hell of a Marine and a great Huey pilot. He also worked for Petroleum Helicopters as an EMS pilot. He will be sorely missed. Semper Fi Col. Duffy and Gods speed.

Arrangements

Do not know of any arrangements yet for Col. Duffy.

Col. Dennis Duffy

Here is everything we have so far on a great Marine and good friend Duff.
Larry (Pops)

Colonel Dennis Michael Duffy, USMC, Ret., passed away on Thursday, March 5, 2009.

Beloved husband of 23 years to Gail Duffy; father to Kathryn D. Smith & her husband Durb, Kelli D. Filardi & her husband Dan, Dennis Duffy, Jr. and Claire Duffy; and brother of Mary Beth D. Florczak & her husband Adam. He is also survived by three grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his mother, Rita Sweeney Duffy; his father, Gerard Duffy, Sr.; and two brothers, Gerard Duffy, Jr. and Timothy Duffy.

Age 65 years, he was a native of Long Branch, NJ and a resident of Mandeville, LA for the past 13 years. In 1961 he graduated from St. Benedict’s Prep School in Newark, NJ, where he received his varsity letter on the 1959-1960 undefeated Hall of Fame Cross Country and Track teams. He graduated in 1965 from St. Bonaventure University in Olean, NY, where he was on the varsity swim team and was Grand Knight of the Knights of Columbus College Council. A United States Marine Corp veteran, he served during the Vietnam Era. He flew 768 combat missions, made combat flight strike leader as a First Lieutenant in Vietnam, was named Flight Instructor of the year in 1970 for the VT-7 fixed wing jet aircraft and was Commanding Officer, 1984 to 1986, of HMM-767 which was named Reserve Squadron of the year in 1986. He retired from the Marine Corp as a full Colonel in 1992. In civilian life, Colonel Duffy was employed as the Area Manager for Petroleum Helicopters Inc. in Fourchon, LA, where he was employed for 25 years.

Relatives and friends of the family are invited to attend a Mass of Christian Burial on Wednesday, March 11, 2009 at 12:30 PM at Mary Queen of Peace Catholic Church, 1501 West Causeway Approach, Mandeville, LA 70471.

A wake will be held on Tuesday, March 10, 2009 from 6:00 to 9:00 PM at E.J. Fielding Funeral Home, 2260 West 21st Ave., Covington, LA 70433; visitation will resume on Wednesday at 11:00 AM, AT THE CHURCH.

Graveside services with Military Honors will be conducted on Thursday, March 12, 2009 at 11:00 AM at Barrancas National Cemetery, 80 Hovey Road, Pensacola, FL 32508.

Col. Dennis Duffy

Mrs. Duffy has requested that this be posted on Pop-A-Smoke.

Larry (Pops)

Col. Dennis M. Duffy USMC Ret., passed away on Thursday, March 5, 2009. Visitation to be held at Fielding Funeral home. 2260 West 21st Avenue, Covington, LA 70433 Tel. (985) 892-9222 on Tuesday March 10th from 6-9 p.m. A funeral mass will be held at Mary Queen of Peace, 1501 West Causeway Approach, Mandeville, LA 70471 Tel. (985) 626-6977 on Wednesday March 11th at 12:30. There will be a visitation prior to mass at 11 a.m. in the Church. Reception to be held at 470 Lotus Drive North in the Beau Rivage Subdivision after Mass. Final interment at Fort Barrancas, Naval Air Station, Pensacola, FL at 11 a.m. Thursday March 12th. Reception thereafter at the house of Steve Brandt 219 Thayer Avenue, Pensacola FL 32507. Donations may be made in the name of Col. Dennis Duffy USMC Ret. to St. Benedicts Prep to their Annual Fund. St. Benedict's Preparatory School, 520 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard, Newark, NJ 07102-1314.

Col. Dennis Duffy's Graveside Eulogy

Colonel Dennis Michael Duffy, USMC, Ret.
January 3, 1944 – March 5, 2009
Graveside Services with Military Honors
March 12, 2009
Barrancas National Cemetery
Pensacola, Florida

EULOGY

Gail, Family and Friends,

I’m very honored to be with you today as we share your final farewell to Husband, Father, Brother and our fellow Marine - Colonel Dennis Duffy.

I first met, then, 1/Lt. Dennis Duffy in South Vietnam where our country was deeply involved in a tough and deadly conflict.

We were squadron mates in HMM 363, The Lucky Red Lions, where we were flying UH-34 helicopters.

Our primary mission as always was to support our ground Marines.

The flying was intense. Each mission brought new challenges.

The combat environment constantly changed. There was no established way of ensuring mission success.

The most gratifying mission, where every ounce of extra effort was given, was the medical evacuation of wounded Marines.

When the call came – no matter what the circumstances – whether under heavy fire, monsoon rain, low visibility, or in mountainous terrain where once the approach was commenced no wave off was possible, Lt. Duffy was always available and could be counted on to get the job done.

He possessed the skills to quickly analyze the situation with complete focus and then with superb flying precision he pushed his aircraft to the limits -- extracting wounded Marines and getting them to the nearest medical facility which gave them the chance to survive.

While in this process, his helicopter crew chief, gunner, and corpsman had complete confidence in his ability. They made a great team!

He never let them down!

Duff, as we called him, no matter how bad the situation he faced, would always have a quick witted answer - or a trademark Duffy smile which immediately instilled confidence to everyone.

He never questioned the personal risks or sought personal recognition. He didn’t have time for it!

Responsibility he gladly accepted.

Duff was a great morale builder for his peers - without overlooking any detail he could change the mood by casually breaking into a joke or song which was colorfully written about squadron routine or certain members. Tensions were eased and negatives were turned into positives.

After 13 months in Vietnam, he was ordered to transition from helicopters to jet fixed wing as an instructor. Such a transition was easy after helicopters and he was named Instructor of the Year at VT-7 in 1970.

Clearly, his versatility, leadership skills, and being a master of his aircraft were evident and continued throughout his military and civilian life.

We discussed many things just weeks before his passing. He still wanted to do more but knew that time was limited.

Bonds that are formed and shared by Marines will never be broken. As other things fade - these bonds are clear as crystal – names – places – faces - and situations.

There is no replacement!

President Reagan was quoted as saying “Some people spend their entire lifetime wondering if they made a difference. The Marines don’t have that problem.” End quote.

Duff was one of those Marines who surely made that difference. Without his efforts day after day, and those of his crews, many more Marine names would have been chiseled on “The Wall” years ago.

For this, we all are eternally grateful.

Until we meet again.

Semper Fi.

Joe Clark
Colonel, USMC, Ret.

March 12 2009 Burial Services Pictures For Col Dennis Duffy

You may follow the link to pictures taken March 12 2009 by following the link below:

http://www2.snapfish.com/share/p=692141237044290879/l=447191044/g=163092155/cobrandOid=1000131/otsc=SYE/otsi=SALB

Thanks Wayne Fischer for the link.