Dr. Norman V. Duffy Jr.

Dr. Norman V. Duffy Jr., 86, died on Friday, October 3, 2025, in Kent, Ohio.

He was born November 1, 1938, in Washington, D.C. He was preceded in death by his parents, Norman V. and Glenn M. (Drury) Duffy, and his son-in-law, Robert D. Miller II.

He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Marianne; and five children, Norman “Vincent” Duffy III (Amie) of Brighton, Michigan, Mary Duffy Bulgrin (Matthew) of Munroe Falls, Ohio, Joseph L. Duffy (Caroline) of Cranford, New Jersey, Anne-Marie Miller (Robert) of Beltsville, Maryland, and Maureen G. Eve (David) of Corydon, Indiana; as well as 20 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.

Dr. Duffy graduated from Gonzaga High School in Washington, D.C., and Georgetown University, where he earned a bachelor’s and a doctorate in chemistry. He was awarded a NATO Postdoctoral Fellowship to study inorganic chemistry in 1965–66 with Sir Ronald Nyholm at University College London in England.

In 1966, he and his family returned to the United States, where he joined the chemistry faculty at Kent State University. He retired as a professor in 1996 after serving in a variety of administrative roles and earning several teaching awards.

Dr. Duffy later became chair of chemistry and biology at Wheeling Jesuit University in Wheeling, West Virginia. He retired in 2012 after receiving additional teaching honors, including being named West Virginia Professor of the Year in 2006 by the Carnegie Foundation. He remained active in research and published with co-authors from NASA and six other countries.

With his wife, Marianne, he was active in St. Patrick Catholic Parish in Kent and St. Michael Catholic Parish in Wheeling. They also participated in the Christian Family Movement, Worldwide Marriage Encounter, and Retrouvaille, a Catholic program for troubled marriages.

Calling hours will be held from 5:00 to 7:00PM on Friday, October 17, 2025 at Bissler and Sons Funeral Home. 628 W. Main St. Kent, OH 44240. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:00AM on Saturday, October 18, 2025 at St. Patrick Catholic Church, 313 N. Depeyster St. Kent, OH 44240, with the Rev. Fr. James Daprile as Celebrant. Inurnment will follow at Standing Rock Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the St. Patrick School Foundation, 127 Portage St., Kent, OH 44240.

Services in the care of Bissler and Sons Funeral Home and Crematory, 628 W. Main St. Kent, OH 44240.