Richard Louis Duffy died at the age of 86 after a brief illness on Tuesday, December 26, 2023, at North Mississippi Medical Center. He was born on September 21, 1937, in Dixon, Illinois to the late Raymond “Ray” Duffy and Helen Kreger Duffy. He spent the majority of his childhood and youth in the Mount Morris, Illinois area. In 1955, Dick graduated from Mount Morris High School and began his professional printing pursuits. His talents were recognized quickly while attending college, and he was offered a prestigious apprenticeship in gravure printing at Kable Printing in Mount Morris.
He briefly served in the United States Army. On July 24, 1965, he married the love of his life and best friend, Lucy Breunig, whom he adored. He was recruited by W.F. Hall Printing Company in Chicago, Illinois, which eventually led him to Corinth, Mississippi, where he was instrumental in the startup of the Hall of Mississippi Plant. Dick was such a talented engraver that the US Treasury Department required him to be registered, since he was one of few people in the country considered skilled enough to manufacture money plates for currency. After many accomplishments and successes, he retired in 1997 as Gravure Manager of World Color, as it was then called.
After retirement, he enjoyed his time on the green golfing, Irish culture and history, theater and symphony, traveling, and enjoying a good meal. He transitioned his focus after retirement to woodworking, building beautiful pieces of furniture and household items. Dick was an avid Mississippi State sports fan.
He leaves behind his wife, Lucy Duffy; son, Brian Duffy (Dianna) of Amory; two grandchildren, Taylor Roberts (Anna Lisa) of Fairview, Tennessee, and Mary Kate Corrie (Benjamin) of Oxford; two great-grandchildren, Gracie and Beau Roberts; brother, Charles “Butch” Duffy (Jerre) of Mount Morris, Illinois; sister, Charlotte Duffy; and sister-in-law, Fay Duffy of Dixon, Illinois.
Besides his parents, he was also preceded in death by brothers Donald Wernick and his wife, Lois, and Ronald E. Duffy.
Visitation will be from 10:30 a.m. until just before the memorial service at 11:30 a.m. on Saturday, January 13, 2024, at Pegues Funeral Home on Jefferson Street in Tupelo, Mississippi.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in memory of Richard Duffy.
