Thomas Edward Duffy

Thomas Edward Duffy, 87, of Bentonville, Ark., died Saturday, March 23, 2013, at Mercy Medical Center, Rogers, Ark., after a three-year struggle with lung cancer and congestive heart disease. Thomas was born Feb. 13, 1926, to Caroline (Herbert) Duffy and Thomas F. Duffy in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin. He was raised on a farm in Pebbles, Wis., attended Ledge Elementary School, and graduated from Goodrich High School in Fond du Lac. During WW II, he joined the U.S. Navy from which he received a medical discharge. Thereafter he went to work on Soo Line RR, where he did his four-year machinist apprenticeship. He then worked on Milwaukee Road RR for two years followed by 26 years in the Chicago Northwestern as an Engine House Foreman. On July 3, 1973, he married Nadine McCarthy at St. Joseph church in Fond du Lac, Wis. While in Wisconsin, they enjoyed snowmobiling and Tom was one of the founders of the Fond du Lac Snow Flyers, the first snowmobile club in the Fond du Lac area. He was a member of the Elks Club and the Fond du Lac Yacht Club, as he and Nadine were avid boaters. Tom retired from CNW in 1986 and in 1991 he and his beloved wife moved to Bella Vista, where they lived for two years before building a home in Bentonville. He was a faithful member of St. Bernard Church. He participated in Scripture Study, the St. Bernard's Men's Club, Round Robin Bridge Club and Couple's Golf. He enjoyed playing bridge at Riordan Hall with the Wednesday night couples' bridge group. During his retirement he enjoyed reading, playing bridge (and all of his bridge companions), golf and traveling. Tom treasured his children and grandchildren. He will be dearly missed and remembered as a loving and faithful husband, a caring and loving father and grandpa. He was a man of great patience, forgiveness and a positive attitude. He had a great sense of responsibility. Although he had a very strong personality and was serious about life, he often showed a playful, mischievous side. Tom lived life with childlike joy. He was preceded in death by his son, Charles, and his two brothers, James and Robert Duffy. He is survived by his loving wife, Nadine, of the home; his daughter, Sheila Duffy Zimmer (Eric); his grandson, Brendon Duffy (Tiffany); his stepgranddaughter, Mellisa Mand Marousek (Jiri); and his stepgrandson, Jeffrey Mand Jr. (Christine). Visitation will be at 9 a.m. Tuesday, March 26, at St. Bernard Catholic Church, followed by the Rosary at 9:30 a.m. and the Mass of the Resurrection at 10 a.m. with Fr. Barnabas presiding. Inurnment will be at the St. Bernard Columbarium, following mass. Arrangements are by the Bella Vista Funeral Home & Crematory, 2258 Forest Hills Blvd., Bella Vista, Ark. Online condolences may be made at www.funeralmation.com.