Gerard Michael Duff, O.S.A., was born May 19, 1934, in Bryn Mawr, PA, the son of Patrick and Mary (Kiely) Duff. He was one of three children, including his twin brother, Lawrence, and Margaret (Purvis) Duff.

Fr. Duff was baptized at Our Mother of Good Counsel Church in Bryn Mawr, PA, on June 3, 1934. He attended Our Mother of Good Counsel Parochial School from 1939-1947 and entered the Order as a postulant upon graduation. He attended Augustinian Academy, Staten Island, NY, from 1947-1951. He spent his novitiate year at Good Counsel Novitiate, New Hamburg, NY, from 1951-52, and made his simple profession of vows on September 10, 1952.

After the novitiate, Fr. Duff attended Villanova University and graduated in 1956 with a BA in Philosophy. He made his solemn profession of vows on September 10, 1955, and upon graduation from Villanova pursued theological studies at Collegio Santa Monica in Rome (1956-1960). Fr. Duff was ordained on December 19, 1959, at the Lateran Basilica in Rome.

Fr. Duff’s first assignment was to Monsignor Bonner High School in Drexel Hill, PA, where he taught religion and Latin from 1960-1966. In 1966, Fr. Duff went to Saint Augustine Church in Lawrence, MA, where he ministered for a year. From 1967-1972, he served as assistant pastor of Saint Thomas of Villanova Church in Rosemont, PA.

Fr. Duff returned to secondary education in 1972, teaching at Malvern Preparatory School until 1975. In 1975, Fr. Duff joined the community at Saint John Sahagun Friary in Washington, D.C., where he served as prior from 1976-1987 and taught at Archbishop Carroll High School from 1975-1987.

In 1987, Fr. Duff moved to Saint Thomas of Villanova Monastery. For many years, Fr. Duff served the Sisters of Saint Joseph as chaplain at Saint Joseph Villa in Flourtown, PA.

Fr. Duff was a caring observer, not one to take center stage but always one to lend a hand of support and an ear to listen. His calm disposition, combined with a significant sense of understanding, made him an approachable and respected counselor. He helped guide countless students and was also active as a counselor to those battling chemical dependency.

Fr. Duff was deeply proud of his Irish heritage and had a keen interest in his family’s history. He spent a great deal of time researching the genealogy of his family and had a tremendous love for his family, both for his ancestors and for those who carry on the extended family tree today.

Fr. Duff passed away on January 16, 2007, called home to God and reunited with those who went before him. It is not hard to imagine the eternal greeting the Lord has given to Fr. Duff: Céad Míle Fáilte.

His funeral Mass was held January 23 at Saint Thomas of Villanova Church, Villanova, PA. He was buried at Calvary Cemetery, Conshohocken, PA.

Click here to read "Meanderings of a Youth", a poem written by Fr. Duff in 1985 on the 100th anniversary of the founding of Our Mother of Good Counsel Church in Bryn Mawr, PA.

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Reflection by Joe Kennedy:

My memory of Father Duff is one of quiet strength, of gentleness and of his ready, infectious smile. He also smiled with his eyes. Gerry was a big man but not intimidating in the least. He always provided a calm, gentle and inviting space whenever I encountered him. I remember having many conversations with him about our common Irish heritage. I will miss him and hope he has found fulfillment and peace.

Reflection by Francis X. Bernard:

I know Fr. Duff from my Bonner years. I used to see him almost daily at the Bonner Breakfast Servers' Club with Fr. Smith & Fr. Deegan, et al. He was always to me a strong quiet presence, and was always easy to talk with. May he reign in glory with his Lord.

Many years ago, Fr. Duff was our homeroom and Latin teacher at Bonner, and we were a bunch of brand new high school students who were struggling to figure out the difference between the "up" staircases and the "down" staircases. He was a warm, engaging, supportive, smart, and fun teacher. His humor ranged from quick wit to extended corny jokes. He helped us all to get our feet on the ground and get 'into' the high school experience. He was also a great athlete who could hit a baseball a mile, and sometimes did in intramural games. He was a man of faith in a quiet, assuring way. All in all he was just the kind of man and priest we could trust and look up to as teenagers. I am very sorry to hear of his death.

Gerry, his brother Larry and I grew up together at Our Mother of Good Counsel in Bryn Mawr, PA. Gerry gave up Major League baseball and money to play as an Augie priest in the real big league. His Lincolnesque stature, Irish tenor voice and warm personality will always be remembered. We had many great times together over the years. May he rest in peace.

Gerry was a terrific athlete who always had time to chat and a great guy to be on the same team with. He was a team player and looked out for the less talented.

Back in the mid seventies while on assignment, one of the friars had a dependency in need of addressing. I was so appreciative of the support Gerry gave me because by way of an intervention.

R I P GERRY

Reflection by Tom McGranahan:

Fr. Jerry & I were from the same street; parish & were at the academy; we stayed in touch over the years enough so that he presided at my mother's funeral mass. I would see him in these last years on my visit to Villanova. He was always doing GOD'S work may he now reap his reward' MAY HE REST IN PEACE.
Tom McGranahan, Richmond Va.

Reflection by Mike Kennedy:

I had the pleasure of working with Gerry at Caroll during his time there. He was greatly respected by the kids as chaplain to the football team (though when he once changed the pre-game prayer to "Our Mother of Good Counsel" instead of "Our Lady of Victory" and the team lost; he good-naturedly took the subsequent ribbing), and his work in the recovery community was highly regarded. His kindness to Bill Gallimore is worth remembering, and emulating.

Reflection by Jim Carlin:

I remember Fr. Duff from my years as a student at Bonner. I never had Fr.Duff as a teacher, but I do remember serving his masses as a member of the Bonner Breakfast Club. He was a nice priest.