Kevin John Duffy, 68
Kevin John Duffy, 68, of Acton, passed away peacefully on March 26, 2026, after a long, brave battle with cancer. He was surrounded with the deep love and support of his family, close friends, and a wonderful medical team. He joins his mother Lillian, his father John, and his brother Timothy in a more peaceful place.
Kevin was a man of great passion and a love of all that life had to offer. He was first and foremost a family man. He was a devoted husband, brother, and son, and he adored being a father, grandfather, and uncle. Nothing gave him more joy than a family gathering involving rambunctious discussions, a delicious home-cooked feast, a touch of cognac, and a competitive card game deep into the evening.
Kevin traveled the world extensively for both work and leisure and thoroughly savored every place he landed. He loved experiencing new places and people and had a great respect and admiration for all cultures. He was an avid gardener from an early age, planting a tree in his backyard with his mother and then a vegetable patch; gardening was a lifelong pleasure. Over the years he developed into a fantastic cook of great versatility, from homemade bread and divine pies (including lemon meringue) to his famous corned beef and cabbage, Moroccan lamb kebabs, and legendary quiche. He would have made Julia Child proud.
Kevin’s enthusiasm and interests were wide-ranging. They extended to a deep interest in both current affairs and history. He was well-read, enjoying more serious material by McCullough and Goodwin as well as beloved series by Tolkien and Martin. He had a great appreciation for music, with a partiality for classical music, musicals of all kinds, and a great fondness for Edith Piaf and Enya. He took great delight in celebrating holidays.
Over the years, Kevin brought home many lovely gifts and mementos from his travels abroad, including Flemish tapestries, copper pans from Paris, hand-painted Dutch and Turkish tiles, jewelry from Thailand, oriental carpets from India, porcelain from Moscow, wine from Australia, lacquerware from Japan, and tea sets and silk from China, along with great tales to share. He admirably maintained his fluency in French by listening to French radio every morning and doing presentations in French to his clients in Paris (which they very much appreciated). He nurtured a coin collection, loved visiting national parks, and made a hobby out of admiring beautiful homes (on or off the market). He skied, he hiked, and he swam (daily for many years). His boundless energy was legendary.
Kevin was very devoted to his Catholic faith but tolerant of other perspectives. He worked tirelessly to ensure a legacy of a warm, loving circle of family and friends.
He leaves behind many who love him dearly and who can be comforted remembering his deep affection for each of them.
Kevin will be forever missed by his wife Lynn Duffy; their children Ryan Duffy, Erin Dubay, and Keith Duffy; his sisters Lynn Jacobs and Jane Weisser; his stepmother Mary Ann Duffy; his brother John Duffy; four grandchildren Esther Duffy, Liam Dubay, James Duffy, and Lily Dubay; his daughter-in-law Sarah Duffy and son-in-law Jason Dubay; brothers-in-law Craig Jacobs, Gregg Weisser, Lewis Barber, and Edward Barber; sisters-in-law Rebecca Coles, Patty Barber, and Ferial Ladak; along with his nieces, nephews, and grand-nephews Vanessa Jacobs, Matt Jacobs, Charmagne Jacobs, Alanna Jacobs, Tyler Jacobs, Aisha Goldstein, Ross Barber, Jason Barber, Molly Barber, Markus Jelf, and Nickolas Jelf. He had many, many other dear extended (and adopted) family members and friends from all over the country and around the world. (You know who you are; we love you all.)
Kevin’s life was cut short, but we were all lucky to have been a part of it. We will miss his generosity of spirit, his great wit, and his charming sense of humor.
Family and friends will celebrate Kevin’s life during visiting hours at Dee Funeral Home, 27 Bedford Street, on Tuesday, March 31, from 5-8 p.m. His funeral Mass will be in St. Bernard’s Church at Holy Family Parish, 12 Monument Square, on Wednesday, April 1, at 10 a.m. Burial will follow at Sleepy Hollow Cemetery.
The family would like to acknowledge the excellent and wonderful medical teams and staff at Dana Farber, Brigham & Women’s, and Care Dimensions who have steered us through this very difficult time. We are deeply grateful for all they do.
In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in his honor to Dana Farber at dana-farber.org.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Dee Funeral Home & Cremation Service of Acton. To share a remembrance or to offer a condolence on Kevin’s tribute page, visit DeeFuneralHome.com.
