In Memory

Sandy Duffy

George Young “Sandy” Duffy Jr. passed away quietly on Saturday, November 12, 2022 having spent his final days surrounded by loving family and close friends. His generosity, interest in others, unique brand of humor, his continual efforts on behalf of the community, and great diversity of interests provided him a rich life full of unending discovery and continual infusion of new friends.

Born July 20, 1946, he attended Fountain Valley Prep School in Colorado Springs, Colorado, excelling in soccer and track. He graduated from Hillsdale College and then worked for the Port Huron & Detroit Railroad until starting his own business, Iron Horse Productions, manufacturing custom wheelchairs for active users like himself.

He took great pride in his involvement with the community, particularly the Southside where he joined the Southside Coalition, subsequently organizing the Southside Music Festival providing a great diversity of music in Lincoln Park each summer, annually for 25 years, as well as forming Candidate’s Night which coincided with City Council elections every two years. He also started the Cinco de Mayo dance held each year to recognize and celebrate Latino culture.

He acquired the original Music Dome sign – from a popular music venue in Fort Gratiot from the 60s and 70s - and with the help of some good friends, organized the first Dome Reunion which he continued to oversee each summer at McMorran Place – a fund raiser for the Blue Water Center for Independent Living where he sat on the Board for several years. He served on the Blue Water Land Conservancy and joined the Trails Committee of the St. Clair County Parks and Recreation Department.

Instrumental in establishing the Irish American Club of St. Clair County, as well as the Michigan Chapter of the Antique & Classic Boat Society in 1978 - he co-chaired in 1982 the first annual Antique & Classic Boat Show in Port Huron. A special passion of his was the creation of the Port Huron & Detroit RR Historical Society, happily meeting and celebrating the history of the short line railroad on a regular basis with his railroad pals.

For his efforts, he was awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award from the City of Port Huron in 2010.

His wide range of interests included fly fishing on the Au Sable; duck hunting at East Tawas; dogs; camping and cooking over an open fire – his duck dinners were celebrated; and preparing, roasting or grilling meals – he especially loved menudo, about which he was very particular; Native American involvements locally and in the west; all things Hemingway; trips to Paris; his 1960 Jaguar; vintage television shows; rock and roll music, especially the Doors and the Beach Boys; road trips west with wife MaryAnn; researching history, particularly the PH & D RR as well as his father’s years in the China/Burma/India theatre during WWII. And several entities were enhanced by his highly researched and entertaining newsletters.

He is survived by his wife of 25 years, MaryAnn, daughter Gina Zuehlke (Matt) grandchildren, Brieanna and Paige; son Paul Jacobs, grandchildren Kaitlyn, Nadalie, Paul, Joey and Johnny; and daughter Cassie DeAnda; mother Kay Houghton, sisters Mino Duffy Kramer (Gerry) and Kathy Duffy; and dog, Lexi; and numerous cousins and extended family.

A celebration of his life will be held on Saturday, November 19, 2022, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at Grace Memorial-Smith Chapel, 1525 Hancock Street, Port Huron. Services will begin at 2:00 p.m.

Donations may be made to his wife, MaryAnn for a charity of her choice.

For information and guestbook, www.smithfamilyfuneralhome.com







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