Aldan rededicates park sign to honor volunteer
Boosters rededicate sign for Duffy Field
ALDAN » As the shiny blue and gold sign was dedicated in his honor, longtime volunteer Charley Duffy cracked jokes and deflected the attention onto others, even after more than four decades of community service.
On Saturday, the Aldan Boosters unveiled the sign on Woodlawn Avenue behind Aldan Elementary School in a move to make things right.
“It was the right thing to do,” said Joseph Cosgrove, eight-time president and long-standing Booster member. “The borough rightfully so honored the guy with the field and then the sign deteriorated to a point where it was gone. We wanted to replace it.”
Current Booster President Larry Nichol said, “It was our moral responsibility.”
The baseball and soccer fields were named for the 76-year-old because of the service he has given to the community, starting with refereeing the Aldan Boys Club basketball games.
“I used to referee on Saturdays, like four games,” he said. “By the fourth game, I was like knocked out.”
Eventually, he added more organizations to his list, from Town Watch to the Boy Scouts to the Fourth of July Association to the Boosters to more as he explained why he did it.
“To give back to the people, I guess,” Duffy said. “It gives you a warm feeling and to be around associates, good friends who volunteer anonymously. They don’t look for self-praise and all that. They just give back.”
Cosgrove said they stopped counting at 10 the number of groups he helped.
Duffy said he did what he could and responded whenever there was a need.
“I knew the people who
“He’s dedicated, very dedicated. He does things with his heart, that’s for sure.”
— Sandy Duffy about her husband Charley
were involved with the organizations,” he said. “Sometimes, we’d feel guilty if we didn’t step up and help out a little bit.”
His daughter Jenn remembered his activities as Santa growing up, “He would sneak out and go house to house with a list of kids.” Charley smiled. “Back then we had about six Santas around Christmas morning. We had twice as many children in town back then.”
The tradition continues with about 300 children getting visits, according to Booster Vice President Marc Greenslade.
“Probably what I’m most proud of is ... the fact that I’m a Red Cross blood donor,” Duffy said, adding that much of it has been directed to the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. “I’m up to 24 gallons almost.”
When asked about the fields being named for him and the new sign, Duffy took a humble stance.
“It’s embarrassing, really,” he said. “When it was first dedicated, I said what I felt good about was the fact that it doesn’t say memorial field. I feel good about that.”
His daughter said his service was the key to his youthful outlook.
“He always has to stay active,” Jenn Duffy said. “It’s what keeps him young.”
His wife was equally as proud, sharing some characteristics of her husband that have motivated him for years.
“He’s dedicated, very dedicated,” she said. “He does things with his heart, that’s for sure.”