|
Peter Andrew Duffey, 39, of South Portland, Maine, died unexpectedly of natural causes at his home on Wednesday, June 13, 2007. Peter was born in Albuquerque, NM, on January 24, 1968, where he spent his childhood. He attended Albuquerque schools until 1984, when he moved with his family to Eliot, Maine. There, he attended Marshwood High School and was an active member of Future Business Leaders of America. He was also proud to be a cast member in the play "Guys and Dolls" during his senior year. His classmates presented him with a gold watch during a graduation assembly for being voted "Most Inspiring Student". After graduating in 1987, he was a volunteer at Portsmouth Hospital for two years. He then moved into his own apartment at Landry Village in South Portland, where he lived independently for nearly 18 years. Peter had many friends in the apartment complex over the years and often spoke fondly of all the people there. Peter was a very cheerful, fun-loving, warm-hearted person, who really enjoyed laughing, cracking jokes, and getting together with friends and family. He never could resist a chance to think up a joke to make others - and himself - laugh. Despite being in a wheelchair since the age of two, Peter participated in many activities throughout his life, including rowing, kayaking, sailing, bicycling, bowling, and swimming. He liked spending time working on his computer, playing games, watching movies and TV, and he really enjoyed going out to Sea Dogs games, Pirates games, bowling, and rock concerts. Peter liked all kinds of rock-n-roll music, and Weird Al Yankovic was one of his favorites. He also loved animals, especially the various Old English Sheepdogs belonging to his mother over the years. Peter was a proud Uncle to his niece Allie and nephew Colby, who both called him "Uncie". Every summer, Peter looked forward to attending the Pine Tree Camp on North Pond in Rome, Maine, where he would spend a couple weeks enjoying nature, swimming, boating and other camp activities. Everyone who has volunteered or served on the staff at the Pine Tree Camp should know how much this meant to him every year and how much he truly enjoyed it. Peter used to really like to go dancing at John Martin's Manor, where he would see live bands perform and dance around in his wheelchair - one of his favorites was the Jenny Woodman Band. In recent years, Peter has been participating in a craft class where he has made several impressive items and he has also had fun going to his biweekly swimming class at the South Portland pool. Peter's smiling face will be fondly remembered and sadly missed by all of those fortunate enough to have known him. He is survived by his mother, Janet Consavage and stepfather Lee, of Eliot, Maine; his father, Tom Duffey and his wife Nelda of Tijeras, New Mexico; his sister, Carrie Sturgis, her husband, Jim, niece, Alexandra, and nephew, Colby of Gorham, Maine; an aunt, Susan Dysko of Levittown, New York; and his great-aunt, Caroline Phillips of Anchorage, Alaska. A Memorial Service will be held at Thornton Heights United Methodist Church, 100 Westbrook Street, South Portland, at 6:30 p.m. on June 18, 2007. Arrangements are made by the Hobbs Funeral Home, 230 Cottage Road, South Portland, Maine. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Peter's name to the Pine Tree Camp (c/o Pine Tree Society), P.O. Box 518, Bath, ME 04530 or to The Center for Therapeutic Recreation, 222 St. John Street, Portland, ME 04102.
|
