Rev. Paul J. Duff, C.S.C., passed away on the evening of Jan. 18, 2012, at Holy Cross House, Notre Dame, Ind. He was 88-years-old.
Fr. Duff, one of three children, was born on April 27, 1923, to Daniel and Mary (Salzer) Duff in Queens, N.Y., both deceased. He is preceded in death by his sister, Rita Cashin, and his brother, Daniel V. Duff. He is survived by his sister-in-law, Priscilla Duff, nine nieces and nephews, 27 grandnieces and grandnephews and 18 great-grandnieces and great-grandnephews.
Fr. Duff received his B.S. in Sociology from Holy Cross College, Worcester, Mass., in 1948. He entered the Congregation of Holy Cross’ Novitiate in North Dartmouth, Mass., on August 15, 1950, and made his First Profession on August 16, 1951. He made his Final Profession on August 16, 1954, and was ordained a priest on June 4, 1955, in Philadelphia.
Following his Ordination, Fr. Duff served as part of the Holy Cross Fathers Mission Band. From 1957 to 1959, he worked for Provincial Administration’s Office of Development, fundraising for the Community. From 1959 to 1973, he served at Stonehill College in North Easton, Mass., in various roles, including Dean of Students, Athletic Director and in the Office of Development. Fr. Duff served as a Chaplain at the United States Military Academy in West Point, N.Y., from 1973 until 1974, at which point he also served as a Pastor at St. Mary’s Parish in Manhasset, N.Y., until 1979. Fr. Duff’s other parish assignments over the years included St. Joseph’s Parish, Martinsville, Va. (1980-82), and Holy Cross Parish, South Easton, Mass. (1983-85).
From 1979 to 1980, Fr. Duff worked at the University of Notre Dame in the Renewal Program for Clergy and also as Rector in a student residence hall. Fr. Duff worked as a counselor at Iona Preparatory School, New Rochelle, N.Y., for the 1982 academic year. In 1985, he became Chaplain at Marymount College, Tarrytown, N.Y., until his return to Stonehill College as local superior of the Holy Cross Community in June 1993. He retired from full-time, active ministry in 1997 and moved to Holy Cross House, Notre Dame, Ind., in July 2007, where he resided until his death.
A Visitation and wake service were held at Holy Cross House on Saturday, Jan. 21, 2012.A second Visitation and Wake Service for the Holy Cross Community in Massachusetts were held at the Chapel of Mary on the campus of Stonehill College, North Easton, Mass., on Tuesday, Jan. 24,2012.. The Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated at the Chapel of Mary on Wednesday, Jan. 25, 2012.
