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Just as George as a boy had watched boat builders ply their craft in Oriental, in recent years he was doing that once again after hearing that Oriental resident Robbie Beal was building a boat from scratch.

Sandie Beal says that it was her husband’s first go at boat building and that George stopped by often, offering encouragement. “When he talked to Robbie about building the boat it was always with respect, never wondering why he was doing it this way or that. Robbie always listened to George because he knew there was wisdom in what he said.”

Time and again this week, friends recalled George Duffie’s love of sailing and in particular, doing so on “Merry Mary.”

“He loved that boat,” said Donna Mannion.

At the helm of “Merry Mary” in the 2008 Whortonsville Yacht and Tractor Club’s Summer Solstice Regatta.

Sailing “Merry Mary” is what George Duffie planned to do last Saturday. Jeannette Santoro, who with her husband Nick ran the Summer Solstice Regatta in Whortonsville for 20 years, remembers that “George was the first one to call in” to enter in the race.

George and Mary Duffie’s Tartan 34, “Merry Mary”.

“He was a real fan of the event,” NIck Santoro said. “He was always seeing if he could get other Tartan 34’s here from the Chesapeake. Or Mars.” At the solstice race dinner on Saturday night, as news of George’s death settled in, Gordon Kellogg noted that there were four Tartan 34’s registered this year — a record. That had to have made George feel good he said, his voice trailing off, acknowledging that only three had raced.

And when not out on the water on board “Merry Mary”, George could often be found at the water’s edge, fishing in the early morning hours near sunrise.

The altar for George Duffie’s funeral at Lou Mac Park on Wednesday. At right, his minister’s stole, at center, his remains which were to be spread later on the Neuse. At left a grandaughter’s pink bicycle he painted black for a grandson.

George Duffie’s funeral took place Wednesday morning at Lou-Mac Park, just steps from his favorite fishing spot. Minister Keith Sexton spoke of George liking the simple things, such as taking his grandchildren fishing — and patiently re-baiting hooks that caught more rocks than fish — or spending a day sailing with them and having them fall asleep on the deck on the run home.

George Duffie’s love of the water wasn’t lost on his children and grandchildren. This week, his daughter Alyson shared the chorus of a song she wrote — and that others in the family performed — 6 years ago when George turned 70. The many honorifics in the song were earned — George did have a PhD in Education and was an ordained minister and a captain — though true to George’s unassuming form, few may have known that.

“Down in Oriental, that’s where he can be seen
maybe on his bike, or maybe at The Bean.
But you’ll always find him on the water in his boat,
The Mr. Rev. Dr. Captain George will always be afloat!”

George Duffie was cremated. His family says his ashes will be spread on the river that he loved.

Ken Pitts says he will remember George for many things.. among them, “the fellow who rode his old yellow bicycle all over town in his jeans and ball cap. This man was humble and yet self-assured and he was armed with a dry sense of humor that would so suddenly be offered that it would take you by surprise.”

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Audio from George Duffie’s Memorial Service

The audio was recorded from the PA system at the service. The piano was connected so it is clear, however the chorus was not so it is not audible. Reverend Keith Sexton can be heard just fine.

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Posted Saturday June 25, 2011 by Melinda Penkava