Belvidere, IllinoisEugene James Duffy, 88, of Belvidere, passed away after a long illness at OSF St. Anthony Medical Center, Thursday, March 22, 2007. Gene was born in Shabbona, Illinois, on April 30, 1918, the son of Martin and Kathryn (McLean) Duffy. He lived in Belvidere since 1939 moving with his family to a farm in Boone County. Gene married the former Lenore Mae Camp on July 19, 1950, in Chicago. Gene was a retired employee of Barnes Drill (Now Barnes International) where he worked as a machine tool assembler and was a lifetime member of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers. Prior to that he was involved in farming with his father Matt, a machinist at the National Sewing Machine Company, and worked as a milk man in Chicago. Gene served in World War II where he was a Master Sergeant with the 50th Service Squadron of the US Army Air Force where he preformed sheet metal repair and maintenance on B 17's, the flying fortresses. Gene served his country well in England, North Africa, and Italy.Survivors include his daughter, Maureen Duffy of Belvidere and numerous nieces and nephews. He predeceased by his parents, wife Lenore, brother, Hugh Duffy and sister, Maxine Balentyne.Gene was a devoted caregiver to his late wife, Lenore, during her long illness. Gene had a photographic memory when it came to cars and tractors and loved to attend antique car shows and antique tractor shows. He was a devoted gardener before his illness and was a great lover of animals especially his special cat, Franny.

A memorial will be established in care of his family.