Francis J. Duff

Francis Joseph Duff, age 80, passed away Friday, December 25, 2015. Born in Norwich, Connecticut on December 27, 1934, he was the son of the late Mary Veronica Moreland Duff and John Charles Duff. Frank graduated from Norwich Free Academy in 1952 and was proud of the fact that he was an Eagle Scout. After high school, he went into the U.S. Air Force where he served during The Korean War as an airman first class. After his military service he graduated from ECSU then Willimantic State Teachers College and the University of Connecticut earning post graduate degrees. Frank also attended Pratt Institute and the University of Notre Dame on National Science Foundation grants. Frank pursued a profession in education, and began his career in 1961 teaching chemistry and coaching basketball at RHAM high school. He moved on to Montville High School where he taught and served as principal for 14 years. He also served as principal at St. Vincent DePaul school in East Haven, CT. His passion was teaching young men and women and he held a strong belief in the power of education. Frank chaired the committee on the evaluation for accreditation for Connecticut public high schools. He was an avid supporter of high school athletics and served on the CIAC Board of Control during his years as principal at Montville. After an outstanding career in education, Frank finished his career at The Hartford Courant working in the Circulation Department. Frank and his family made their home in Willimantic, CT and for the last decade, he and his wife Jeannette spent their winters in Del Ray Beach, FL. When his family was younger, he enjoyed spending time with his sons and the countless neighborhood kids in Willimantic; often attending sporting events or hitting the New England ski slopes. He enjoyed rooting for all New England sports teams, and had a special place in his heart reserved for the UCONN Huskies and Notre Dame Fighting Irish. Frank was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Willimantic and Emanuel in Del Ray. He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Jeannette Duff, his three children, Thomas Edward Duff and his wife Dianne of Glastonbury, CT, Timothy John Duff and his wife Jennifer of Gorham, ME, and John Christopher Duff and his wife Amy of Tolland, CT. He is also survived by eleven grandchildren Connor, Gavin, Braeden, Derek, Emma, Emily, Molly, Sarah, Genna, Sean and Daniel. Frank is preceded in death by his siblings: Thomas Edward Duff, James Aloysius Duff, John Francis Duff, Margaret O'Sullivan and Theresa Schuster. In lieu of flowers please make donations, in Frank's name, to Special Olympics Connecticut, https://specialolympics.gospringboard.com . Calling hours will be held Friday, January 1, 2016 from 4:00-6:00 p.m., at Potter Funeral Home, 456 Jackson St. (Rte. 195) Willimantic, CT. A Mass of Christian burial will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, January 2, 2016 at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 99 Jackson St., Willimantic, CT. Committal Services will be held at a later date. To sign the online memorial guestbook please visit, www.potterfuneralhome.com