Members of the College community say they will remember Rev. Francis Charles Duffy, O.P. ’53 as a person of great faith and kindness and one who was extraordinarily devoted to Providence College.
The chaplain of the Providence College Alumni Association since 1991 and a former PC vice president and faculty member, Father Duffy died on March 21 at Hallworth House in Providence. He was 74 years old.
A Mass of Christian Burial for Father Duffy was celebrated in St. Dominic Chapel on March 24. Attended by a cross-section of the College community, including alumni association leaders, the Mass was celebrated by the Very Rev. D. Dominic Izzo, O.P. ’88, prior provincial of the Dominican Province of St. Joseph. Concelebrants at the altar were College President Rev. Brian J. Shanley, O.P. ’80 and Rev. William P. Marquis, O.P., prior of St. Thomas Aquinas Priory and an assistant professor of economics at PC. Approximately three-dozen other members of the Dominican Community served as concelebrants.
Father Duffy contributed more than 40 years of service to his alma mater and was a member of the Dominican Order for more than 50 years. He was ordained on June 16, 1960, at St. Dominic’s Church in Washington, D.C. A native of the adjacent Elmhurst neighborhood, he was the son of the late Francis J. and Kathleen C. (Burke) Duffy, Jr. He is survived by a sister, Arlene M. Duffy, of Providence.
His service to the College began in 1963 when he was named an assistant professor of political science. He served in numerous administrative capacities as well, including as vice president for student relations from 1969-81 and, earlier in the 1960s, as assistant to the president, assistant to the vice president for development, and assistant dean of men.
Rev. R. Damian Myett O.P. ’55, former special lecturer in humanities, spoke proudly of his 55-year relationship with Father Duffy in presenting the homily at his funeral Mass. Father Myett reviewed Father Duffy’s career at PC and reflected as well on his declining health the past few years, saying he suffered with dignity and grace.
“Charlie never complained. He was a man of great faith,” said Father Myett. He added, “His humility . . . allowed him to surrender completely to the Lord.”
Father Shanley, in a reflection after Communion, said Father Duffy possessed “an enormous kindness” and fully lived out his Dominican vow to obedience. Father Duffy also was a wise judge of character who interacted well with others throughout the College community, the president said.
Reflecting on Father Duffy following the Mass of Christian Burial, Robert Ferreira ’83, acting vice president for institutional advancement, emphasized that the longtime alumni association chaplain was a wonderful listener and ever-willing participant in College and alumni affairs.
“He was one of the kindest and most spiritual souls I ever met. . . . He always wanted to be a part of whatever we got him into. He never appeared put out but rather embraced participation at all levels,” said Ferreira.