A love of community
Charles Duffy served with a number of P.E.I. agricultural, religious and educational groups
A P.E.I. man is being remembered for a lifelong commitment to education, agriculture and his community of Fort Augustus.
Charles Patrick Duffy died at 87 years old on Sunday after living in Fort Augustus his entire life.
His wife, Anna Duffy, said Charles’ first priorities in life were family and community.
“We’ll miss him for sure, but he had a good life and a good family,” said Anna, who was married to Charles for 66 years. “He was always quite satisfied, he was so thankful and grateful for everything in his life.”
Charles was involved in a number of community organizations, which led to him and Anna winning the 1984 Islander of the Year Award presented by the Evening Patriot.
It was also the only time the award was presented to two individuals.
“Mr. and Mrs. Duffy have long been active in community affairs, working with agriculture, religious, educational and civic organizations,” stated the newspaper.
Together, the two served as chair couple of the Diocesan Family Life Commission and were organizers for the marriage preparation program and marriage counselling program.
The couple raised 10 children on a 250-acre farm in Fort Augustus, which is still farmed by two of their sons, while Charles also worked as an entomology technician at the agriculture research station for 32 years.
Charles was a founding member and driving force behind construction of the Fort Augustus Recreation Centre and Fort Augustus Heritage Gardens.
Charles was a life member of the Knights of Columbus, as well as a member of P.E.I. Home and School Association, the first trustee board for Charlottetown Rural High School and secretary of Fort Augustus Consolidated.
He also chaired the Central Farmers Co-op Board of Directors and small farm board, as well as serving as treasurer for the East River Cheese Factory. In addition, he was a founding member of the Fort Augustus Irish Descendants Association and treasurer of the St. Patrick Country Home.
Charles had 24 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren.
Visitation will be held at Hillsboro Funeral Home in Stratford on March 14, 2-4 p.m. and 7-9 p.m., while the funeral mass will be held at St. Patrick’s Church in Fort Augustus at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday.
Memorial donations can be made to the St. Patrick’s Parish.