×

James H. MacDuff Jr.

James H. (Jim) MacDuff Jr., 88, died March 17, 2015 in Merrimack, NH after a long illness. He was born on Nov. 2, 1926 in Fall River, MA the son of the late J. Henry MacDuff Sr. and Bernice Read-Chase MacDuff.

He was raised in Providence, RI and proudly served his country in the United States Army as a Staff Sergeant and Field Artillery Trainer during World War II. He and his life-long friend Ken Lawson married sisters and the MacDuff and Lawson families grew up together. He was employed by HFC Finance, MAC Finance and New York Life Insurance Company, then spent the last 28 years of his career as an insurance agent for the Allstate Insurance Company. He lived in Rhode Island, Massachusetts and Maine before moving to NH where he resided for the past 59 years.

His life was marked by his faithful service to his God, his devotion to his family and his deep love of country. He was a member of Riverside Christian Church in Merrimack, NH, and previously served as an elder in the North End Church of Christ (now Manchester Christian Church) and Trinity Baptist Church (Nashua, NH). Throughout his life he had a profound effect on the lives of many as he simply and humbly lived out his faith whether on the job or in his church. He was a loving father and devoted grandfather. During his lifetime his hobbies included learning the PC when computers were first introduced, roller-skating and woodworking (a craft he took great joy in sharing with his grandsons).

In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by his sister Bernice MacDuff Lawton; brother George MacDuff; nephew Robert K. Lawson; and grandson William J. Katz.

He is survived by his wife of 65 years, Olga D. (Usenia) MacDuff; daughter Diane L. Katz and husband Paul Katz of Bedford, NH; son James H. MacDuff and wife Sheila MacDuff of Manchester, NH; “adopted” daughter Regina Ventre and husband Andy Tichava of Wilmington, NC; grandchildren ENS Daniel MacDuff, USN of Norfolk, VA; Eric S. MacDuff of Milford, NH; and Amy E. Katz of Bedford, NH; brother-in-law and best friend Kenneth Lawson and sister-in-law Mary Lawson of North Providence, RI and several nieces and nephews.

Visiting hours were held on Sunday, March 22, 2015, at the Rivet Funeral Home, 425 Daniel Webster Hwy, Merrimack, NH 03054, from 4-6 PM. Funeral services were held on Monday March 23, 2015, at 10 AM at Riverside Christian Church, 27 Depot St., Merrimack, NH 03054. Following the funeral service, committal prayers with Military Honors were held at the N.H. State Veterans Cemetery chapel, 110 Daniel Webster Highway, Boscawen, NH, at 12:30 PM.

In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting that memorial donations be made to Community Hospice House, 210 Naticook Rd, Merrimack, NH 03054. To sign an online guest book go to rivetfuneralhome.com.