Joseph "Jed" Duffy, 62, Teacher, Social Worker

Joseph Edward Duffy, of Barrington, died on Wednesday October 23, 2013, at the Jane Brown Unit of Rhode Island Hospital after a nine week hospitalization following surgery. He was 62.

Born in Taunton, Sept. 3, 1951, he was the son of the late Joseph Edward and Ruth Eleanor (Long) Duffy. Joe or "Jed", as he was also known, attended Coyle High and graduated from Taunton High School, class of 1069.

He was a 1973 graduate of the University of Maine, Orono, with a degree in human growth and development. He played bass in the orchestra and swing groups in high school and college.

He attended the Master of Arts Teaching program at the University of Maine, Gorham, and was a member of the first Maine Teacher Corps. Joe Duffy dedicated his professional life to helping others.

He taught kindergarten and first grade in North Attleboro for 19 years. He was active on the executive board of the North Attleboro Teachers Association and served on the Grievance and Negotiation Committee. At the time of his death, he was professional social worker for the State of Rhode Island for over 15 years.

He served with the Long Term Care unit, Staff Development, the Family Independence Program, and the Department of Children, Youth and Families. He enjoyed good conversation, gourmet dining, gardening, movies, theater, and living by the sea. He was an avid reader of contemporary fiction, biography, history, and travel books. He had the Irish gift for making everyone he met and conversed with feel as though they were the most important person in his day and that he would take care of them.

Duffy leaves his long-time companion, Leo P. Ouellette of Woonsocket, a loving sister Cornelia Kulczyk, a niece Alexa Kulczyk, a nephew Adam Kulczyk, a niece-in-law Evelyne Giguere, several cousins and many friends.

Relatives and friends are cordially invited to a Memorial Mass at St. Mary's Church, Taunton, on Sunday Dec. 22, at 10 am. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations maybe made to St Mary's Church, 14 St Mary's Square, Taunton, MA 02780, the American Heart Association or to a charity of one's choice . Arrangements are being handled by the Crapo-Hathaway Funeral Home, Taunton, Mass.