Leo Michael Duffy

MONONA - Leo Michael Duffy, age 105, passed into eternal life on September 28, 2025. He is survived by his daughter, Elyse Duffy; son, Ron (Kay) Duffy; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his wife of 65 years, Catherine (Kay) Duffy (nee Terlecki); parents, Frank and Agatha Duffy; brothers Thomas, Raymond, Edmund, Gerald (Maurice) and Harold (Francis); and sister Helen.

Leo was born on September 21, 1920, in Aurora, Wis., to Frank Henry and Bridgett Agatha (nee Noonan) Duffy. He graduated from Gilman High School in 1938 and Taylor County Normal School and Teachers College in 1942.

His early teaching career was interrupted in 1943 when he enlisted in the U.S. Army. There Leo underwent officer training and was enlisted in active duty in August 1943 as First Lieutenant. Leo served in the Army Quartermaster Corps, 610 Graves Registration Company.

In that capacity he supervised operations pertaining to battlefield graves and cemeteries, prepared sketches and maps of cemetery locations and individual graves, supervised collection and disposal of personal effects of fallen soldiers and arranged for their proper identification and burial; supervised technical training of labor groups in maintenance and operation of cemeteries and inspected performance duties.

Leo spent 19 months at this duty in the European Theater of Operation, participating in the Normandy and Northern France campaigns. He performed duties in the following cemeteries:  American Cemeteries: St. Marie Eglise #2, France; Foy Cemetery Bastogne, Belgium; German Cemeteries: Orglandes Cemetery, Normandy, France; and Lesneven Cemetery, Lesneven, France.

For his service, Leo was awarded the World War II Victory Medal, American Theatre Campaign Medal and European Theatre Medal with two battle stars for the Normandy campaign and the Battle of the Bulge in Bastogne, Belgium. He was honorably discharged in April 1946 with the rank of Captain.

After his service, Leo re-started his career in education, teaching in Taylor County, while running a farm alongside his wife, Kay, also a teacher. Continuing his own education, Leo attended the Wisconsin State Teacher’s College at the University of Wisconsin Eau Claire, where he received his bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education in 1954.

Soon after, Leo and Kay relocated to Sun Prairie, and Leo completed his master’s degree in School Administration at the University of Wisconsin, Madison in 1955. Another move took them to Beloit, where Leo accepted the position of Superintendent of Beloit Township Schools.

In the early ‘60s Leo and Kay moved once again, this time to Monona, where Leo served as principal for Nichols and Maywood schools. He remained with the Monona Public Schools until his retirement in the mid-‘80s.

In addition to his devotion as an educator, Leo was himself a lifelong learner with many interests and hobbies. Along with Kay, he was an avid golfer. He loved gardening, both indoor and outdoor, and spent many hours cultivating summer flower beds. In winter, he tended an entire roomful of Amaryllis from bulbs that he kept for over a dozen years. Leo read copiously and his favorite topic was history. At one point, already in his 90s, Leo read each of the president’s biographies in order.

Leo was also proficient in woodworking, pyrography, wood carving, stained glass, and even embroidery! Deeply proud of his Irish ancestry, Leo was delighted to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day, when you could find him sporting a bright green hat. Many of his favorite carvings were of Leprechauns and other Irish-themed icons. He was amazed and thrilled to see his 2022 DNA results: nearly 100% Irish (with a wee bit o’ Cornwall and Scotland thrown in).

Leo was a devoted parishioner at Immaculate Heart of Mary, where he volunteered in various capacities. At the request of one of the priests, he custom built an altar, which was used for daily Masses for many years. Recently, it was donated to a U.S. airbase in South Korea, where it is being used for Masses for U.S. soldiers. Leo’s service to country and church has come full circle.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at IMMACULATE HEART OF MARY CATHOLIC CHURCH, 5101 Schofield St., Monona, at 11:30 a.m. on Tuesday, October 28, 2025, with Fr. Eric Sternberg presiding. Family and friends who wish to view the Mass via LIVESTREAM may visit Leo’s obituary page at www.gundersonfh.com at the time of the Mass and click on "Watch Now" in the Webcast section. Entombment will follow at Resurrection Cemetery. A celebration of life is planned for next year.

Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.

Gunderson East

Funeral & Cremation Care

5203 Monona Drive

(608) 221-5420