James Duffy

Commander James Francis Duffy (USN, Ret.) passed away on November 24, 2021, four days after his 86th birthday. Born and raised in Chicago, Jim was a proud graduate of St. Ignatius College Prep, one of the city’s most historic and prestigious Catholic high schools. From there, Jim enlisted in the United States Navy at age 17. He attended boot camp at Naval Station Great Lakes, Illinois and soon earned the rate of Minemen. Having excelled at all facets of his training, he attained the rank of Petty Officer Second Class by the ripe

old age of 19.

Recognizing Jim’s military bearing, leadership abilities, and strong academic background,

his commanding officer recommended that he apply to the United States Naval Academy. Stationed close to Chicago and unsure of what to do, Jim asked for and received permission to go home and speak to his father about his decision. When Jim described the opportunity,

his father, John, simply said, “Son, it sounds like this man is trying to hand you a golden football. You grab on to it and run like hell.”

Jim took his father’s advice. Gaining admission in 1956, Jim entered the Naval Academy as a member of the Class of 1960. He played

multiple intramural sports, and, not surprising for a native of Chicago’s South Side with four brothers, he excelled at boxing and won the 1958 welterweight Brigade boxing championship. During his time as a Midshipman, Jim formed countless enduring friendships and began a lifelong love affair with the City of Annapolis.

Following his graduation, Jim attended flight school in Pensacola, Florida, earned his Wings of Gold, and embarked on a 30-year career as a Navy Pilot. First flying Lockheed Martin’s Super Constellation (EC-121), he later transitioned to the S-2 Tracker, C-1 Trader, and the T-39 Saber. He served aboard USS Intrepid and, later, USS Independence, traveling the world. His duty stations included Patuxent River, Maryland, Argentia, Newfoundland (Canada), Quonset Point, Rhode Island, and Virginia Beach and Norfolk, Virginia. In the mid-1960s, Jim returned to the Naval Academy to serve as the 30th Company Officer. During that tour, he earned a master’s degree from George Washington University. In the late 1970s, he earned his Command Star, serving as Commanding Officer of VRC-40, an airborne logistics support squadron with two types of aircraft (C-1s and T-39s), over 40 officers, and 400 enlisted personnel at any given time. After his Command tour, Jim headed back to Independence as Air Boss, spending many months in the Indian Ocean during the Iranian hostage crisis. At the end of his career (and at the fervent request of his wife), Jim welcomed the opportunity to join the Naval Academy faculty, teaching leadership to Midshipmen and living in lovely, old quarters at Hospital Point, overlooking the Severn.

After serving 34 years, Jim retired into civilian life in 1986 and settled in Annapolis Cove. Not letting the Navy get too far away, Jim worked in various defense contractor positions. Most notably, he worked several years for the Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory, serving as a test director and project manager in the submarine security directorate. “That job,” he boasted, “allowed him to play with the Navy’s toys without actually being in the Navy.” Upon his second retirement, Jim spent his time traveling, teaching sailing, and guiding walking tours of the Naval Academy’s hallowed grounds.

Jim was a devoted family man. He married Carolyn Novak, a Chicago girl, in June 1960. Their marriage lasted 61 years, until Carolyn died on August 31, 2021. The couple had four children, Kevin, Ellen, Brian, and Brendan, their Spouses Theresa, Paul Jenkins, Molly, and 13 grandchildren: Meghan, Matthew, Blair, Maggie, Brendan, Emmett (USNA 2021), Cecilia, Caroline, Larkin, Aidan, Cavan, Cailin, and Mairin. He delighted in all of them. Jim is survived

by his brothers Harold, Thomas, and William Duffy, and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, John and Cecilia Duffy, and his brothers Jack and Patrick.

Jim was well-read, well-traveled, and much loved. He was an avid sailor. He was a student of history. Like his wife, he embraced foreigners and foreign cultures. He was immensely proud of his Irish heritage. He had friends around the world, but he never forgot his Chicago roots or his large, boisterous, extended family back in his hometown. Over the years he and his wife happily sponsored numerous Midshipmen, most (including his future sonin-law) hailing from Chicago.

Jim was also a man of faith, even as his faith was tested. In November 1998, Jim and Carolyn’s youngest child, Lt. Brendan Duffy (USNA Class of 1995), was killed during a nighttime landing aboard USS Enterprise. Having served as Air Boss on a carrier, Jim took the loss personally and particularly hard. His patriotism and dedication to the Naval Service never wavered, however, and his love for Annapolis and his alma mater never diminished. It is only fitting, then, that Jim will rest at the Naval Academy’s Columbarium, just down the hill from Hospital Point, overlooking the Severn, alongside his beautiful bride, and only a few feet from their beloved son. May they all rest together in peace.

Jim’s funeral service will take place on March 31, 2022, at 2:00 at the Naval Academy Chapel.