Paul Duffy

PAUL R. DUFFY

Iowa City

Paul R. Duffy, 92, of Iowa City, passed away Saturday, Jan. 19, 2019, at The Bird House Hospice Home of Johnson County. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 29, at St. Patrick Catholic Church with the Very Rev. Rudolph Juarez officiating. Burial will be in St. Joseph's Cemetery, Iowa City. Visitation will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. Monday, Jan. 28, at Lensing Funeral & Cremation Service, Iowa City, with a rosary recited at 4 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the American Heart Association.

Paul was born July 20, 1926, in Iowa City, the son of Martin and Fanny (Johnson) Duffy. He was a lifelong resident of Iowa City. Paul graduated from St. Patrick High School in 1944. Following graduation, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy and served during World War II on the USS Reno and USS Essex. Paul married Anita Marie Streb on Aug. 5, 1947, at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Iowa City.

He started his 42-year career with Sears at the downtown location and helped open the new store at Sycamore Mall. He was a dedicated employee and was asked several times to assist at store openings in other cities in Iowa. He retired in 1991 and later was one of the honorary ribbon cutters at the opening of the new Sears store in Coral Ridge Mall. Paul was a lifelong member of St. Patrick Catholic Church. He had a respect for wildlife and nature, and enjoyed fishing with his son, sons-in-law and grandsons. Paul enjoyed woodworking and the challenge of fixing things. He could fix any broken thing you gave to him. He enjoyed gardening and watching the birds. Paul especially loved to hear a good joke and was proud of his Irish heritage. Most of all, he loved and took care of his family and was always there to lend a hand whenever called upon.

Paul is survived by his four children, Rebecca Martel (John) of Coralville, Patricia Michel (Craig) of Iowa City, Martha Kron (Shane) of Iowa City and William Duffy of Iowa City; 10 grandchildren, Denise Schwarting (Arthur), Aaron Nissley (Jennifer), Christopher Michel (Erin), Brigette Price (Nick), Patrick Duffy (Rachel), Megan Duffy-Sherlin (Bailey), Anna Kron, Ian Kron, Samantha Kron and Noah Kron; 13 great-grandchildren, Ronni, Seth, Christian, Kendra, Everett, Jaxon, Moses, Luke, Chase, Taylor, Liam, Nolan and Jaimeson; brother, Warren Duffy of Iowa City; in-laws, Maribeth Duffy, Dorothy Duffy and Marvin and Shirley Streb; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Paul was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Anita; four siblings, Lester Duffy, Alice Jean John, Roy Duffy and Gerald Duffy; and in-laws, Gene and Vaida Streb.

Online condolences may be left for the family at www.lensingfuneral.com.