Capt. Francis K. Duffy USN (Ret.)

Capt. Francis K. Duffy, USN (Ret.), 86, of Concord, NH, died Tuesday, February 14, 2023, following a period of declining health.

Frank was born in Newark, NJ July 30, 1936, the son of Francis A. and Maryanne (Campbell) Duffy. He lived in Newark and Red Bank, NJ until he left to attend the Bullis Prep School in Maryland. After graduating, Frank entered the Merchant Marine Academy. When he was in his second year, Frank was on a cruise with the Merchant Marines in the Persian Gulf; he received word that if he could get himself to the Naval Academy in Annapolis withing the next two days, he would be admitted. As the Naval Academy accepts no credits form the Merchant Marine Academy, Frank was told he would have to start from scratch. So, he did, and made the commitment to do the full 4 years at the Academy, graduating in 1960. After serving briefly in the surface Navy, Frank entered Naval Submarine School in Groton, CT, finishing in 1963. His submarine career included numerous duty stations and months at sea.

After retirement form the Navy in 1985, Frank worked in the private sector in Washington, DC and in 1993 he and Judy moved to New London, NH. They settled in Concord in 2014.  

Frank was an enthusiastic volunteer in the Men’s Club at church and enjoyed teaching the course “Great Decisions” at the library in New London. His fields of interest were foreign policy and world affairs. He could learn and excel at just about any subject that interested him. 

Frank loved his family, his country, the Navy, and especially his career in the Submarine Service. He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Judith Webber Duffy, his son, Jim Duffy and wife Cynthia, and his grandchildren, twins, Aidan and Alexis, all of Pennsylvania.  

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held March 13, 2023, at 10:30am at Immaculate Heart of Mary Church, 180 Loudon Road in Concord. Burial with military honors will follow at 1:00pm at the New Hampshire State Veterans Cemetery, 110 Daniel Webster Highway in Boscawen. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital online at https://www.stjude.org. Phaneuf Funeral Homes & Crematorium is assisting the family with arrangements. To view an online memorial, leave a message of condolence, or for more information please visit https://phaneuf.net/.