James P. Duffy, Sr

Duffy Sr., James P., 77, died July 5, 2011 at the Boca Raton Regional Hospital in Boca Raton, Florida. He was the loving husband of Jacolyn B. (Bidwell) Duffy. They had been married for 56 years. Born in Providence, a son of the late Thomas H. and Marcella C. (Roddy) Duffy. He was a man whose constant focus was on his wife, children, and extended family. Regardless of the endless hours working or time away with work or the National Guard, everything came back to one thing, family. He accepted everyone into his life, with his loving heart, smile, and incredible hugs for all. His ability to interact with others was one of the main reasons why he became a well-known and highly respected advertising executive in New England and in some cases, outside New England. Other than family, the other word that was important to him was proud. He was incredibly proud of everyone in his family, wife, children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. James grew up in the Mt. Pleasant section of Providence and graduated from Mt. Pleasant High School. Jim served for 23 years in the Army National Guard. He was the President of the Providence Jaycees. He was on the Finance Committee, collector and long-time parishioner, with his family, at St. Paul's Church in Cranston.He first worked at Hospital Trust Bank where he met his loving and caring wife Jacolyn. He began his advertising career at Fitzgerald/Toole. Years later, he ran a company called Media Services, Inc. He ended his advertising career working as Media Director at Duffy&Shanley working on major accounts, including, Old Stone Bank, Newport Creamery, and The Providence Journal. He coined the phrase "The Big East Conference", which has become the most well-known and most successful basketball conference in the country. He worked on Xavier and South Florida college accounts. In 1989, he received the Rhode Island Advertising Club's Person of the Year. He retired in 2000, but continued to help others in the business for years after his retirement. Besides his wife Jacolyn, he leaves 5 daughters, Donna P. Duffy, of Cranston, Barbara S. Sellechio and her husband John, of Cranston, Kathleen A. Ponte and her husband, Richard of Alexander, NC, Elizabeth T. Owenby and her husband, Randy, of Fletcher, NC, Jacolyn M. Eatough and her husband, Leon, of Albany, NY, and a son, James P. Duffy Jr. of Warwick, He also leaves grandchildren Katrina, Jason, Meredith, Lonnie, Keith, Michael, James III, Shannon, great-grandchildren Taze and Damontre. He was the brother of Stephen V. Duffy, of Providence, and the late Sally Maggiacomo, and Thomas H. Duffy.The celebration of his life will be Monday, at 10 am in Saint Paul Church, 1 Saint Paul Place, Cranston to which relatives and friends are invited. Visiting hours and flowers are respectfully omitted. Donations to T.A.P.S. Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors, 1777 F. Street NW Suite 600, Washington, D.C., 20006 will be appreciated.