HUGHESTOWN — Jimmy Duffy was a guy most people in Greater Pittston knew. When he was stricken with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), it was devastating to the family and the entire community.
ASL, a neuromuscular illness that causes the death of neurons controlling voluntary muscles, is also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease named after the Major League all-star baseball player from the New York Yankees. Duffy, like Gehrig, survived only two years after the initial diagnosis.
After Duffy’s death, his widow Florence and son Jay formed The PALS (prevent ALS) of Jimmy Duffy Foundation to aid both research and local people with ALS.
The PALS of Jimmy Duffy Foundation held its 10th annual remembrance and fundraiser picnic on Aug. 31 in Duffy’s memory at the home of Duffy’s nephew Alan Hancyzc.
“We host this each year as a tribute to my uncle,” Hancyzc said. “He was a man that was always happy and lived life with a lot of enthusiasm. He loved us so much and anything I could do to pay tribute to him to remember his name and what he stood for in our family.”
The backyard picnic consisted of a large tent, raffle basket giveaways, plenty of food and desserts and over 125 family and friends showing their love and appreciation for Jimmy Duffy and the Duffy family.
The Duffy family has raised $25,000 for ALS in 10 years in Jimmy’s memory. The family has decided to end the foundation, but is very grateful for being able to help as many people as possible.
“Obviously, this is year 10 and, in the beginning, nobody knew what they were doing and we decided to have the first fundraiser at a Red Barons game in the parking lot,” Jay Duffy said. “In year two, we stepped it up and did it at the pavilion inside the stadium.”
Over the last eight years, the foundation has utilized the pavilion at PNC Field to create awareness.
“We started the foundation to create awareness and my goal was always to, not so much to send the money for research, but to help somebody at home,” Florence Duffy said. “If someone was suffering, I wanted the money to go there and, over the years, I’ve received letters from people who have gotten the aid from us on how grateful they are for us helping.”
One attendee of the picnic was Renee Weislogel, of Exeter, who came with her granddaughter Samantha and her great-granddaughters. Weislogel’s husband Howard also suffered with ALS and, over the years, the two had become friends with Florence and Jay Duffy.
“Howard worked at Schott Glass for 36 years and that’s when he was diagnosed with ALS in 2010,” Weislogel said. “He lasted five years and his progression was slow. It was a tough time and he refused to go on machines because he didn’t want that for the family.”
Shortly after Howard’s diagnosis, the Weislogels learned about the Duffy family and its foundation.
Howard attended the Duffy picnic until his death in April 2017.
Renee was surprised at the time of Howard’s diagnosis how little area medical personnel knew about ALS.
The Duffys and Weislogels became friends over the years in support of each other.
“We learned so much information from the Duffys and my husband loved coming to the annual picnics,” Renee said.
“I think it’s time to end the foundation,” Jay Duffy said. “Look at most of the people here; they are not getting any younger and it’s becoming harder. It’s been 10 years and it’s been a great run and we raised $25,000. We are happy with where we are at and I know we helped a lot of people. We are grateful of the support we received over the 10 years.”
“I have a very heavy heart today,” a teary-eyed Florence Duffy said, knowing it was the final Duffy fundraising picnic. “I don’t want to cry but we are going out on top.”
