Posted May 20, 2021

Father Thomas J. Duffy, 87, pastor emeritus of the former St. Clare Parish in Linfield, died May 18.

Son of the late Thomas J. Duffy and Eleanor V. Haley of Philadelphia, he attended St. Barbara School in West Philadelphia followed by St. Joseph’s Preparatory School before entering St. Charles Borromeo Seminary.

Father Duffy was ordained May 21, 1966 in the Cathedral of SS. Peter and Paul in Philadelphia by Archbishop John J. Krol.

Father Duffy served as parochial vicar at St. Joseph Parish, Warrington; Holy Spirit Parish, Sharon Hill; Our Lady of Fatima Parish, Secane; St. Frances Cabrini Parish, Fairless Hills; Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish, Doylestown; Stella Maris Parish, Philadelphia; and St. Leo Parish, Philadelphia.

He served as parochial administrator at Sacred Heart Parish in Royersford and at St. Clare Parish, Linfield. In 1996 Father Duffy was appointed pastor of St. Clare and named pastor emeritus in 2003. The parish closed in 2006 and its territory assumed by the newly formed St. Teresa of Calcutta Parish, Limerick.

Father Duffy also served as senior priest at St. Helena Parish, Blue Bell, from 2003 to 2008.

Reception of the Body will be held at St. Helena Church, Blue Bell, on Monday, May 24 at 10 a.m. followed by a viewing. Bishop Edward M. Deliman will celebrate the funeral Mass for Father Duffy at 11 a.m. Concelebrating will be Msgr. Joseph J. Nicolo and Msgr. Francis A. Carbine, who will also be the homilist.

Interment will be at Holy Cross Cemetery in Yeadon.