Robert J Duffy

Pendleton

Robert J. Duffy, 87, husband of Claudette Perry Duffy, formerly of Abbeville, passed away on Wednesday, November 19, 2025, at the Callie and John Rainey Hospice House in Anderson, S.C., surrounded by his loving family.

He was born on December 9, 1937, in Brooklyn, New York, to the late Henry Joseph and Eleanor McGoldrick Duffy. Robert grew up in Atlanta, Ga., where, as a youngster, he raised chickens in the basement of their family home, selling the eggs to his neighbors.

He graduated from the University of Georgia in 1959 with a B.S. in Chemistry. He was a die-hard Georgia football fan and loved all things related to his beloved alma mater, wearing his class ring every day for almost seven decades. He instilled his love for his alma mater in his family, taking them to football games Between the Hedges. Eventually, his oldest daughter and both of his grandchildren would also graduate from UGA.

Robert met his wife in Abbeville. While there, he took flying lessons and was president of the Abbeville Jaycees. He was a proud member of the Army Reserve and an avid golfer who, according to him, was a fantastic golfer and almost broke 80 multiple times.

After moving to Anderson, Robert became a long-distance runner. When he first started running, he would run to the next mailbox down the road. Eventually, Robert would run in many 10K races, with his favorites being the Reedy River Run in Greenville, and the Peachtree Road Race in Atlanta, Ga. He completed one marathon in Columbia.

Robert was a blood donor for many years, giving blood as often as he could. He enjoyed living on Lake Hartwell, fishing, and buying buckets of minnows to feed the local blue heron. He also enjoyed working in the garden and grew the most delicious tomatoes.

One of his favorite places to visit was Holden Beach, N.C., where Robert, known as Tata to his beloved grandchildren, enjoyed fishing and catching baby sharks with his grandson and son-in-law. He loved watching his granddaughter find seashells. Tata would even let them steer the pontoon boat by tapping them on the shoulder to tell them which way to steer.

During Robert’s life, his wife’s fondness for cats rubbed off on him. His favorite cat was a sand-colored, fluffy cat named Butterball. For much of his life, he enjoyed watching and feeding birds, especially hummingbirds and bluebirds. He raised many bluebird broods in his bluebird house on the hill.

In his later years, Robert would tell his younger daughter, whom he would call “Debbie Darling,” multiple times a day how much he loved her and how beautiful she looked. When his older daughter, Kristina, would call, he’d jokingly call her his “other daughter.”

He worked for many years in the textile industry, mostly for Milliken & Company. After he retired from textiles, he worked at Home Depot in the flooring department for a number of years.

Survivors, other than his wife, are his children, Debra Joy Duffy (Debbie) of Pendleton; Kristina Duffy Burnett and her husband, Jack Burnett, of Atlanta; his grandchildren, Sophia Rose Burnett (Sophie) and Benjamin Duffy Burnett (Ben); his sisters, Sharon Ann Duffy and Gail Duffy Smith; his brother-in-law, Billy Perry, of Anderson; and several nieces and nephews.

Respecting Robert’s wishes, no services are planned. He was a longtime donor to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, so in lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Jude by visiting www.stjude.org.

Online condolences may be made at www.chandlerjacksonfh.com. Please share a story or favorite memory of Robert.