Michael McDuffee had just finished his first year as Precinct 1 Councilor on the Winthrop Town Council. He attended meetings wearing a suit and taking notes as the meetings progressed.
He always smiled and showed genuine interest in all affairs before the council. He worked with the Dog Park Committee to find man’s best friend the best play spot in Winthrop.
McDuffee, 62, suddenly passed away Sunday, Jan. 6 at Massachusetts General Hospital after suffering the effects of a stroke over the holiday break.
He is survived by his wife Joanne Norris McDuffee, son Michael and daughter Samantha and three grandchildren. He was a veteran of the United States Air Force serving from 1974-1978.
McDuffee received his bachelor’s degree from UMass Amherst, majoring in foreign language and graduated Summa Cum Laude. Michael was a member of the Winthrop Yacht Club, Winthrop Lodge of Elks #1078, the Barn Boys Inc. and was an active member of the Holy Rosary Parish in Winthrop.
McDuffee served a year as Precinct 1 Councilor and ran unopposed in 2017 for the seat once held by Paul Varone.
McDuffee’s funeral will be held from the Maurice W. Kirby Funeral Home, 210 Winthrop St., Winthrop, on Friday Jan. 11 at 9 a.m. A Funeral Mass will be held in St. John the Evangelist Church-Winthrop at 10 a.m. Relatives and friends are invited. Interment will follow in Winthrop Cemetery (Belle Isle Section). Visiting hours will be held in the funeral home on Thursday from 4-8 p.m.
“With his short presence on the Winthrop Town Council, Michael will forever hold a special place in the hearts of those he helped, those he worked with and those he’d share a laugh,†said Town Council President Ron Vecchia, who is also a friend of the family. “I will miss his presence on the council, but most of all I will miss his friendship, his wit and our frequent little talks over a coffee or a beer.
“Michael was a pretty special guy, loved by all who knew him. He was family man that loved life, had a radiant smile and an outgoing positive personality. As a Town Councilor in Precinct 1 he brought a breath of fresh air to the council, always asking questions and seeking solutions to day-to-day issues and sharing his ideas and opinions about making Winthrop a better place to live,†Vecchia said.
He graduated from Winthrop High School in 1974 and went on to college at UMass Amherst. McDuffee worked as project manager at Corolla Roofing for over 20 years. McDuffee was a true Irishman through and through, loved life, and everyone he came to meet.
“The Town of Winthrop extends its most sincere condolences to the McDuffee family, and to the Winthrop community as we mourn the loss of Councilor McDuffee. Mike will be remembered for his dedication and many contributions to the Town of Winthrop,†said Town Manager Austin Faison.
At the Monday night meeting of the Revere City Council a moment of silence was held for McDuffee.
McDuffee is also son of Robert and Marion (Colby) McDuffee of Winthrop. He was the brother of Lynn McDuffee Giuliano Berry of Oviedo, Fla., Deborah McDuffee of Winthrop, Donna Infantino and her husband Edward of Winthrop, Diane McDuffee of Dover, N.H., Robert R. McDuffee and his wife Kristen of Winthrop and Denise Usseglio and her husband Paul of Nashua, N.H. Brother-in-law to Michael Norris and his wife Cathy of Winthrop and Michelle Massa and her husband Louis of Winthrop. Also survived by many nieces and nephews.
In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory can be made to Your Options Medical Center 103 Broadway, Revere, MA 02151 or to Boston’s Wounded Veterans, 60 Paris St., East Boston, MA 02128.