CECIL ROBERT DUFFY

Cecil Robert Duffy passed away Tuesday, Dec. 20, 2011 at the Thunder Bay Regional Hospital in Thunder Bay, Ont.
He was born July 2, 1932 in Orillia, Ont.
He moved to the Thunder Bay area as a young police officer, meeting Sunny. They married on Aug. 11,1956 and recently celebrated their love and devotion to each other with their 55th wedding anniversary.
Throughout their marriage, they made many friends in each community they called home, Terrace Bay, Schreiber, Manitowadge, and Kakabeka Falls among them.
In 1988, Cecil and Sunny returned to Fort Frances, Ont. for their retirement.
He was a life member of the Knights of Columbus. He also was a very active member of St. Mary’s parish, helping as a Cantor, working Bingos, and visiting and helping out in any way. Cecil believed strongly in volunteering and was very active in the community, including working with the Arthritis Society and the Canadian Cancer Society.
He will be fondly remembered for his bright smile, quick wit, and his unique little “sayings.”
He leaves behind his children, Barbara (Ronald) Johanson, Beverley Thomson, Larry (Nicole), Terry  (Wanda), and Gerald (Jennifer); grandchildren, Heather, Trish (Chris), Janelle, Amanda, Holly, Eric, Laurel, Mallory, Kendra, Sydney, Brandon, Avery, and Alexa; and great-grandchildren, Kyle and Kurtis.
Also surviving are his brother-in-law, Siinto Wataja and wife, Railli, and sister-in-law, Bertha Wataja; as well as a large extended family he was close to.
Cecil was predeceased by his wife, Sunny; sons, Kenneth and Leonard; son-in-law, Bob Thomson; brother-in-law, George Wataja; and sisters, Anne (William) Underwood and Marcella (Peter) Liddell.
Friends are invited to join the family for a prayer service on Thursday, Dec. 22, 2011 at 7 p.m. at St. Mary’s Roman Catholic Church in Fort Frances.
A mass will be held Friday, Dec. 23, 2011 at 11 a.m. at St. Mary’s Roman Catholic Church, with Fr. Francis Pudicherry officiating.
Cremation has taken place, and a private family interment will be held at the Holy Cross Cemetery in Fort Frances at a later date.
An honour guard will be provided by the OPP and the Knights of Columbus.
If friends so desire, in memoriam donations may be made to the Arthritis Society, 895 Tungsten St., Suite 5, Thunder Bay, Ont., P7B 6H2 or the Canadian Cancer Society, P.O. Box 444, Fort Frances, Ont., P9A 3M8.
Online condolences may be offered at www.greenfuneralhomefortfrances.com