Schools
Former Malden High School Asst. Principal Passes Away
Brendan Duffy, aka "Mr. Duff," was known as a no-nonsense, "old school" educator with a passion for his students.
Update: A wake will be held from 3-8 p.m. Friday, Sept. 7 at Spadafora Funeral Home.
Original story: Long-time former Malden High School teacher and assistant principal Brendan Duffy, aka "Mr. Duff," passed away, the city's Facebook account announced late Wednesday afternoon:
"Generations of Malden High School students remember Mr. Duffy as a tough but fair teacher who demanded hard work and dedication and in return he earned their respect," the post reads.
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"After hanging up his ‘walkie-talkie’ as Assistant Principal, Mr. Duffy served as the Educational Liaison to Mayor Howard where he helped the school system acclimate to the MCAS exam.
Today, his legacy lives on through his son Kevin who serves as the City’s Strategy & Business Development Officer in his Dad’s former office. Our condolences are with the entire Duffy Family at this time as we share in their sadness at the loss of this great man."
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A number of former students have taken to social media to share their memories of the teaching veteran, with many noting the personal touch Duffy brought to the position.
"He was the best!" Terri Gilligan wrote. "He was always there for us, always ready to listen when we needed him... You changed the lives for many of us, Mr Duffy and some of us would not be the people we are today if we had not had you in our lives- you will be missed."
"(I) had a bad moment one night in the early 90s when life seemed unbearable and i thought there was only one way out!," Clark Heighton wrote. "Mr. Duffy spent many hours on the phone with me that night convincing me that life was grand. For that i owe him my life. Thanks for all you did for me. Godspeed to you!"
"He was the cool guy," Mary Fougere-Broomstein wrote. "My heart is heavy."
"I loved this man," Patty Pontbriand Greene wrote. "He was a real man who was strong when the circumstance required it but kind and gentle to those who needed it. I looked up to him as a great male role model for all the young men passing through MHS. God bless you Mr. Duffy. Rest in peace."
Readers can share memories or leave a memorial message in our comment section, or upload pictures onto our memorial gallery.
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