Obituary of Gerard G. McDuff

Gerard G. McDuff 91 years, husband of Elizabeth Mary (Reno) McDuff, died Wednesday at the Radius Healthcare at Danvers. Mr. McDuff was born August 17, 1913 in Peabody to Albert and Marie (Berube) McDuff. He was raised and educated in Peabody and was a lifelong resident. He operated an automobile battery manufacturing company before opening and operating three service stations prior to WW II. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy and received a Medical Discharge. During the war he worked in the Charlestown Navy Yard as an electrician. Following the war he received his journeyman and his master electrician’ s licenses, and operated his own electrical business until he opened a service station in 1961 in Wilson Square, Peabody with his two sons. In 1972 he and his oldest son owned and operated the Atlantic Auto Supply Company in Marblehead until it’ s closing in 1999. During his years as an electrician, he was elected several times as President of the Massachusetts Electrical Contractors Association. As president he created the Pioneer chapter in Western Mass. and the Bristol chapter in Southern Mass. He also served as an elected Electric Light Commissioner for 18 years. He had a great interest in youth sports and served as President of the Pony League Baseball in Peabody and was the driving force in bringing Babe Ruth Baseball to Peabody. He was a very active Mason, joining Jordan Lodge in Peabody in 1959. He later joined the Aleppo Temple Shrine. In addition, he was a member of the North Shore Shrine Club, Past President; Salem-Zebulun Council, Washington Royal Arch Chapter and Olivet Commandery of Lynn, York Rite; Valley of Salem and Valley of Boston, Scottish Rite; Philanthropic Lodge of Marblehead, and a charter member of The North Shore Daylight Lodge in Beverly. As a prominent businessman, he was a past President of the Peabody Rotary Club and a long time member of the Peabody Lodge of Elks BPOE 1409. He was a long time active parishioner of St. Paul’ s Episcopal Church on Washington St. in Peabody. As an avid golfer, he traveled and played gold all over the U.S. and the world. In addition to his wife, he is survived by 2 sons and their wives, Gerard G. Mac McDuff Jr and Donna McDuff of Hernando FL, Louis R. Red and Joan McDuff of Peabody; a sister, Violet Allard of Haverhill; 3 granddaughters, Heather A. McDuff of VA, Julia A. Carrigan of Charlestown and Lisa M. Pereira of Peabody; 3 great grandchildren and several nieces and nephews. He was also pre deceased by 3 brothers, Lionel V. and Joseph H. MacDuff and Rudolph E. McDuff. His funeral will be held Tuesday at 9:30 a.m. from the Conway, Cahill-Brodeur Funeral Home at the 20 Church St., Peabody location followed by a funeral service at 10:30 a.m. in St Paul Episcopal Church, 12 Washington St., Peabody. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited. Visiting hours Monday 3 - 7 p.m. Burial in Cedar Grove Cemetery, Peabody. Memorial contributions may be made in his memory to Hospice of the North Shore, 10 Elm St., Danvers MA 01923 or the Shriners Hospital, 51 Blossom St., Boston MA 02114