John P. Duffek

John P. Duffek, 82, of Owego NY went to be with the Lord on Tuesday February 12, 2013. He is survived by brothers and sisters in law Stephen and Pat Duffek of Owego NY, Frank and Donna Duffek of Endicott NY; sisters and brothers in law ; Jenny and Frank Juodaitis of Endwell NY; Marge and John Smith of Endicott NY; and sisters Frances Neschleba of Endwell NY, Millie Breckner of Concord NC; Betty Shuta of Brackney PA and Mary Andrews of Nevada; many nieces and nephews and friends. John was a veteran of WWII where he served in Berlin, Germany with the 540th Division of the Military Police from 1951 to 1953. He owned, trained and raced harness horses for 10 years nationally including his beloved horse, Dutchess Clipper. In his later years he went into the plumbing business. He was a soft spoken gentle man with a wry sense of humor, at home on his farm of 70 acres where he lived for many years with his mother, Elizabeth Duffek, who predeceased him. He was an avid gardener and loved nothing so much as a good chat about growing, harvesting and preserving. No weeds were allowed and his canned jalapeno peppers were legendary. John will be dearly missed by all of his family and friends including his buddies at Shelly’s. His family would like to thank Dr. Zevan and the staff of the Emergency Room of Wilson Hospital for the care that they provided to John and the support they provided to the family. A celebration of his life will take place as funeral services are held Saturday, 8 am from the Allen Memorial Home, 511-513 East Main Street, Endicott, followed by a Funeral Mass at Our Lady of Good Counsel Church at 8:30 am. Burial will be in Riverhurst Cemetery, Endicott. The family will receive friends at the Allen Memorial Home Friday from 4-7 pm. Expressions of sympathy in John’s memory may be made to Catholic Charities of Broome County, 232 Main Street, Binghamton NY 13905 or to Mom’s House 770 Harry L. Drive Johnson City NY 13790.