John Jerome Duffey, 1926-2010

DUFFEY John J. Duffey, 83, of Columbus and Worthington, Ohio, father, husband, judge, professor, WWII veteran and city council member, died on May 8, 2010 of complications from cancer. Born in Toledo, Ohio, he was the youngest son of Congressman Warren and Marie (Sawkins) Duffey, in a large and politically active Old West End Toledo family. A graduate of Central High School, he attended Ohio University before joining the U.S. Army in 1944 after his eighteenth birthday, serving in the Philippines and Japan as a Staff Sergeant. Upon his return, he married and obtained his undergraduate and law degrees at the University of Michigan, graduating with high honors in 1951. After practicing with Fuller, Harrington & Seney in Toledo upon graduation, he moved in 1954 to Columbus, Ohio to become an Assistant and Associate Professor at the Moritz College of Law at The Ohio State University. Governor Mike DiSalle appointed him to the Ohio Tenth District Court of Appeals in 1960, where he served until 1969. He later became a partner in the firm of Topper, Alloway, Goodman, DeLeone & Duffey, and upon its merger in 1986, Benesch, Friedlander, Coplan & Aronoff. He retired from the practice of law in 1990, but never retired from public and community service. John took great interest in affairs beyond the courtroom. He served as a member and Chairman of the Columbus Planning Commission from 1956-1960, a member and vice-chairman of the Franklin County Regional Planning Commission from 1957-1960, and a member and president of the Columbus Civil Service Commission from 1970-1974. He served as an elected member of Worthington City Council from 1983-2001, and was a member and chairman of Worthington Walnut Grove Cemetery Association from 1996-2001. He served as a member and chairman of the Bishop Hartley High School Board of Directors from 1966-1970, a member of the Board of the St. Vincent Family Center and of the Our Lady of Peace Parish Council during the 1960's. He was also a member of Beta Theta Pi Fraternity and Phi Delta Phi Legal Fraternity. John loved and was loved by his family, and is survived by his dear wife, Ann (Stambaugh) Duffey; and his former wife and friend, Suzanne (Heatley) Duffey; by his loving children, Carole Duffey Hise (Michael Hise) of Columbia, MD, John Duffey Jr. (Nancy Powers) of Dublin, OH, Nancy Duffey Edwards (David Edwards) of Upper Arlington, OH, Timothy Duffey (Colleen Duffey) of Upper Arlington, OH, Mary Duffey (Tony Logan) of Columbus, OH, Kevin Duffey (Natalie Wymer) of San Francisco, CA, Michael Duffey (Lindsay Duffey) of Worthington, OH, Karen Kuhlman Vaeth (Michael Vaeth) of Columbus, OH, Charles Kuhlman (Rebecca Kuhlman) of Columbus, OH, Jonathan Sams (Teri Sams) of Port Orchard, WA, Dan Sams of Lopez Island, WA and Adam Sams of Marysville, OH; as well as by many dear grandchildren; nieces and nephews. He is predeceased by his dear parents and his siblings Warren Duffey, Ruth Duffey Reynolds, Richard Duffey, Natalie Duffey and Cecile Duffey Strobel, and his former wife Leslie Peralta Steinau. The family is very grateful to the staff of First Community Village for their warm and loving care. A prearranged party at First Community Village will go forward on Sunday. Family and friends may call at the RUTHERFORD-CORBIN FUNERAL HOME, 515 High St., Worthington 43085. on Sunday, May 9, from 6-8 p.m. and again Monday, May 10 from 5-8 p.m. A private family interment will take place in Walnut Grove Cemetery at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Vincent Family Center, the College of Law at either The Ohio State University or the University of Michigan, the employees fund at First Community Village or the charity of your choice.