Tributes to former councillor Joe Duffy, a leading member of Garvaghy Road Residents Coalition during the Drumcree Crisis in Portadown
Joe Duffy, a leading member of the Garvaghy Road Residents Coalition in Portadown during the Drumcree crisis in the 1990s, has died.
Mr Duffy, who was also an independent councillor sitting on Craigavon Council, was highly respected in Portadown and worked tirelessly for the community in the Garvaghy Road area.
Mr Duffy has been invariably described as a ‘true gentleman’ and ‘one of nature’s gentlemen’.
One friend said: “He was a great man who loved his community and stood up for them.”
Mr Duffy, who died yesterday, was the dear husband of the late Isobel and loving father of Sandra, Philip, Mary, Paul and Michael.
Joe will repose in his residence at 290 Ballyoran Park, Portadown today (Monday) from 5.00pm until 10.00pm and on Tuesday from 10.00am until 10.00pm.
His funeral will take place on Wednesday from his late residence at 12.45pm to the Church of St. John the Baptist, Drumcree for Requiem Mass at 1.30pm.
His passing is deeply regretted by his sorrowing daughters, sons, daughters-in-law Bernie and Suzanne, sons-in-law Francie and Shane, grandchildren, great grandchildren, sisters, brothers, nieces, nephews and family circle.
Joe's Requiem Mass can be viewed on Drumcree Parish online livestream.
Drumcree Centre in Portadown said: “The Directors, Staff, Volunteers and service users of Drumcree Community Trust deeply regret the death of Joe Duffy, a former member and trustee of our organisation and we extend our sincerest sympathies to his sons, daughters, grandchildren, great grandchildren and wider family circle.
"From the end of the 1960s with People’s Democracy and the civil rights movement, through the decades since then, until his ill-health in more recent times, Joe was a consistent campaigner and advocate for equality, justice and civil rights for all within our community.
"As an elected representative from 1997 until 2001, he was a person who helped ensure that the rights of this community were to the forefront of the political agenda.
"Joe will be sadly missed by all who knew him. He is now reunited with his wife Isobel.”
Sinn Féin MLA John O’Dowd paid tribute to Joe Duffy. He said: “Joe was a man of integrity and courage, he was a firm believer in equality and social justice.
"He stood with his community of the Garvaghy Road during the Drumcree Crisis and through his role as Councillor worked for all sections of the community.
"I send my deepest sympathies to his family and friends. He will be sorely missed by all who came to know him.”