Obituary for Richard "Dick" Duke
Richard “Dick” Duke, 83, longtime resident of Ludlow, passed away peacefully on February 3, 2018. Born in Northampton, son of the late William and Esther (Howard) Duke, he was a graduate of Greenfield H.S. and received his BA from Nathaniel Hawthorne College. Dick was a United States Army Veteran proudly serving his country during the Korean War. During his service, he was a member of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers - 803rd E.A.B. and transferred to S.C.A.R serving in England from 1953-1956. He was employed in the banking industry, was a controller of Bendix Corp in Greenfield, and was also the co-founder of Compass Professional Services for personal emergency response systems. Dick was a faithful communicant of the former St. Mary of the Assumption Parish in Ludlow and currently of St. Cecilia Parish in Wilbraham, and was also a member of Knight of Columbus Council #10195. In his spare time, he enjoyed playing golf with his friends and his son. Dick was the beloved husband of 59 years to Kathleen (Kelly) Duke; a devoted father to Teresa Duke Forker, of Ludlow, and Thomas Duke and wife Erika, of Palmer; an adoring Grampy to Thomas Forker, Kathleen Forker, Victoria Duke and husband Abe Khorasani, and Jason Duke and wife Jessica; a dear brother to the late Shirley Pielock, Joan Kosuda, Robert Duke, and Earl Duke; and also leaves many loving extended family members and dear friends including his nephew Jay Kelly and wife Elizabeth. Funeral services for Dick will be held on Thursday, February 8th at 10:00 from Ludlow Funeral Home with Liturgy of Christian Burial at 11:00am in St. Cecilia Parish followed by burial with Military Honors in MA Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Agawam at 1:00pm. Visitation will precede the funeral on Thursday From 9:00-10:00am and in lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Dick’s Memory to St. Cecilia Parish Building Fund 42 Main St. Wilbraham, Ma. 01095.
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Previous Events
Visitation
Thursday
8
Feb
9:00 AM
- 10:00 AM
Ludlow Funeral Home
432 East St.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Funeral Liturgy
Thursday
8
Feb
11:00 AM
St. Cecilia's Parish
42 Main Street
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Graveside
Thursday
8
Feb
1:00 PM
Massachusetts Veteran's Memorial Cemetery
1390 Main Street
Agawam, Ma 01001
Cemetery Details
Location
Massachusetts Veteran's Memorial Cemetery
1390 Main Street
Agawam, Ma 01001
Memorial Contribution
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