John "Jay" Duddy

John Patrick Duddy, known to all as Jay, a master plumber who approached his craft and his love of friends and family with the same passion and commitment, died October 13, 2024. He was 64. Born April 2, 1960 to John and Barbara Duddy, Jay was the oldest of four with three younger sisters. He was a natural and accomplished athlete, playing football and baseball at Pequannock Township High School and then football at Ramapo College. He remained a competitive and passionate sportsman and sports fan his entire life. That competitiveness shaped his personal life as well — he could even turn reciting lyrics from an Elton John album into a competition. He loved boating, being out on the water, fishing, going to the beach, attending all the local sports team events and concert going. Jay could be larger than life and low key at the same time, a practical joker who could also cut friends in half with a subtle quip. Spending time with Jay meant lively conversations about sports, food, movies, and many genres of music, and he usually left companions with sore cheeks from laughing and smiling so much. Growing up, Jay had a joy and fearlessness that led to legendary pranks and antics with childhood friends, not all of which can be repeated. He maintained that irreverence and joy his entire life. When it came to his work, though, as his coworkers affirm, he was uncompromising about his craftsmanship and the safety of the teams of plumbers who worked with him. He was happy to share his expertise with family whenever needed. Jay was a consummate Jersey guy, sometimes jumping in his truck and driving to the shore at a moment’s notice, maybe to spend a day at the beach or go fishing, maybe to see a show at the Stone Pony. But he was also part of some of the most important and iconic construction projects across the river through UA Local 1. He took tremendous pride in his chosen craft, supervising hundreds of journeymen and training countless apprentices. The Second Avenue Subway Project, the 96th Street Station Project, and the East Side Access Tunnel Project are just a few of the major projects that listed Jay Duddy as foreman. If you have driven in Manhattan, made your way through or over a New York tunnel or bridge, ridden the NYC subway system, been a patient requiring oxygen or sedation in a New York City hospital, or sat in a seat in Yankee Stadium, you have felt Jay Duddy’s work. Maybe the most important project of his professional life was supervising construction of the memorial pools and the museum at the 9/11 Memorial & Museum. Jay did not take a vacation for three years, sometimes eating meals alone in the empty pool, sometimes sleeping in his truck, leading teams that worked nearly nonstop with a sense of reverence that few could fathom. The project was recognized as one of the largest and most innovative fountain projects ever conceived, pumping 18,000 gallons of water a minute through enough pipe to run the length of Manhattan. “Any other job, you can come back and do repairs and get it right,” he told a newspaper reporter at the time. “Not this job. It has to be right the very first time.” When it was tested the first time, it worked flawlessly. One 9/11 anniversary, while still working on the project, Jay was one of the volunteers reciting the names of victims, taking great pains to pronounce the names correctly in order to honor the victims and their families. There were numerous stories of little gestures he made for others -- “Angel deeds,” as his sister Lisa described them -- that Jay never spoke about publicly. Like the coworker who had a heart attack on a job site and was saved by Jay’s administration of CPR. Or like the young child he befriended while he worked in a housing project who was stunned at the gifts Jay bought for his birthday. Or the toddler girl about to walk into oncoming traffic on a Manhattan corner that Jay pulled to safety at the very last second. When a Buzz Light Year actor did not make it to his nephew’s birthday party, Jay happily volunteered to step in even though it was a sweltering 95 degrees. All examples of the generous nature of Jay. He walked through the world with an alertness and an eye for service, helpfulness, kindness and humor. He leaves behind heartbroken family members, parents, Jack and Barbara; sisters Lisa Duddy (Richard Freund) and Kim Gastelu (Christopher); nephews A. Garrett Burton; Alec Freund; nieces Cosette and Hallie Gastelu; his partner, Yvette Fermin; numerous cousins, aunts, friends and colleagues. He was preceded in death by his sister, Melissa Duddy Burton. On any passing day, in many a place, at any given time, there will be a smile happening at the thought of a moment spent with Jay Duddy. Peace out, Jay. Peace out. John's family would truly appreciate any donations made in memory of John to the St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. To make a donation in memory of John Duddy, please click here.