John R. Duffy

John R. Duffy, age 97, of Hayward, WI passed away on Thursday, June 26, 2025, at Hayward Health Services.

John Robert Duffy was born October 6, 1927, in Superior, WI the son of Walter and Eva (Somerville) Duffy.  John was raised in Hayward, WI where he attended school.  After graduating from Hayward High School, John joined the U.S. Navy on June 29, 1945, and served during World War II on a mine sweeper.  He was honorably discharged from the Navy on August 7, 1946, and received the Victory Medal for his time in service.  John returned to northern Wisconsin and, as a member of America’s Greatest Generation, continued to serve his county by joining the U.S. Army National Guard.  He also started attending college at UW Superior.   John was joined in marriage to Mary Getler on June 21, 1952, at Saint Edward and Isidore Parish in Flintville, WI.  In the late 1950’s, he purchased Sawyer County Abstract in Hayward, WI.  John was called back into active military duty for the Army on October 15, 1961, and served until August of 1962 during the Cuban Missile Crisis while stationed at Fort Lewis, Washington.  He and his family then returned to Hayward where he continued to operate the land title company, expanding its services to include offices in Ashland and Spooner, WI, and operated a small ranch with cattle and horses.  John retired from the National Guard as a Major on October 6, 1987.  He sold Hayward Land Title to his son Jim in 1997 and retired.  On January 1, 2000, John was joined in marriage to Charlotte Baertsch at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Hayward.  John was one of the founders of the Hayward Youth Hockey Association, served on the local library board, was an active volunteer with the Telemark Ski Patrol and Fishing Has No Boundaries, and a strong supporter of and participant in the American Birkebeiner.  He enjoyed taking adventures, including hikes in the Grand Canyon on several occasions, winter camping, and climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro.  He was always an active person who enjoyed biking, snow skiing and water skiing with his children.     

John is survived by his wife, Charlotte.  He is also survived by his eight children, Kathy (Eric) Berens of Stevens Point, WI, Jim (Barb) Duffy of Hayward, Steve Duffy of Chippewa Falls, WI, Paul (Denise) Duffy of Charlotte, NC, Pat Duffy of Hayward, WI, Mike Duffy of San Francisco, CA, Erin (Terry) Yuknis of Hayward and Hugh (Janna) Duffy of Center City, MN; ten grandchildren; five great grandchildren; siblings, Patricia Walsh, De Pere, WI, Tom Duffy of Hayward, Mable Patrick of St. Paul, MN, Delores (Ronald) Peterson and Mike (Sue) Duffy, both of Hayward, WI; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents and former wife; sister, Mary Hudock; and five brothers-in-law and two sisters-in-law; and two nieces.

A time of visitation will be held on Friday September 19, 2025 from 5-7 pm at the Hayward Funeral Home.  A Mass of Christian Burial celebrating John’s life will be held on Saturday, September 20, 2025 at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Hayward, Wisconsin, at 11 am, including military honors accorded by the State of Wisconsin Military Funeral Honors Program and the Hayward American Legion Post #218.  Interment will be in the Greenwood Cemetery in Hayward.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Sherman & Ruth Weiss Community Library, PO Box 917, Hayward, WI 54843.

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