The Scribe of ’63

Mike Duffy ’63 has distinguished himself among Peddie’s class secretaries as an extraordinary figure. For over 50 years, he has been the beloved narrator for the Class of ’63, capturing the essence of his classmates’ lives through his eloquent Class Notes in the Peddie Chronicle. His words, infused with humor, empathy and a profound understanding of the human experience, have served as a time capsule, preserving memories and forging connections that bridge the gaps of time and distance.

Duffy often described for his readers a ritual of “dancing like nobody’s there” in his family room, grooving to contemporary hits from artists like Lizzo, the Linda Lindas and Dua Lipa to channel his unique voice. “Shaking my geezer tailfeather, getting fired up with a little crazy old dude disco dancing. Just my twisted mister way of sliding into the Chronicle Class Notes groove,” he quipped in his latest column this past spring.

Sadly, the family room disco ritual has come to a halt. Duffy recently announced that he has been diagnosed with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, a condition that has forced him to step down from his role as class secretary.

Duffy was elected class secretary during his senior year by his classmates, and his voice quickly became a defining element of the Class of ’63. Unfortunately, his initial Class Notes columns were never printed due to space constraints and later overshadowed by the coverage of President Kennedy’s assassination. After a brief hiatus in the early years, Duffy resumed his role, maintaining it for over half a century.

His columns, always brimming with comedy and heart, were about more than keeping the class informed. They were a testament to his ability to knit people together. “Yes, we’re cuckoo. Not for Cocoa Puffs. For life. For enjoying the simple pleasures. For connecting with each other. For realizing how lucky we’ve all been,” Duffy wrote in 2022. His longtime friend and former Peddie roommate, Arthur Brown, described him as “the glue” that holds their class together. “Writing with phenomenally good humor, he has never missed a deadline and written with such a unique style such that additionally he has many followers from other Peddie classes who read his Class Notes regularly,” Brown said.

Classmate Clarence Kugler added, “Every ship needs a captain. Lucky for the good ship Ala Viva ’63, we crew members have had Captain Duffy at the helm. Mike began cheering for Peddie on campus as a Falcon cheerleader. His infectious enthusiasm for life revealed in every Class Notes column he wrote encouraged us to share our lives with him.”

One of the most notable moments during Duffy’s tenure came at the Class of ’63’s 20th Reunion. The event was marked by the presence of Sharon Evans, formerly known as Bill Evans during their time at Peddie. Evans’ decision to transition to female in the late 1970s was a significant milestone for the class, challenging and ultimately strengthening their bonds. The 20th Reunion was the first time Bill Evans would meet his classmates as Sharon Evans.

Duffy’s account of the reunion, published in the Detroit Free Press, where he was a television critic, captured the anticipation and acceptance surrounding Evans’ arrival. “Bill Evans is now Sharon Evans,” he wrote, eloquently conveying the class’s respectful curiosity and support. “None of us, not even Sharon, would deny that a very real part of the allure of our 20th Reunion was coming back to meet her. Coming back to watch Sharon watch us watching her. She loved it, too.”

Evans reflected on the experience, saying, “I was surprised at just how totally open and accepting everybody was at the reunion. I totally felt accepted as a woman.”

Duffy’s observations on the reunion went beyond Evans’ story. He saw the gathering as celebrating the class’s diversity and individuality. “Peddie was a lot cooler than we ever imagined at the time. As for the Class of 1963, well, it was even more so. But we will accept notorious, infamous, and rampantly individualistic,” he wrote.

Duffy’s passion for writing has been a lifelong affair. Born and raised in Mansfield, Ohio, he developed an early love for storytelling, which he nurtured through his education at Peddie and Denison University, where he majored in English and minored in creative writing. After graduating, Duffy pursued a career in law, earning a juris doctor degree from the University of Iowa. However, his true calling was journalism, and he enjoyed a 37-year career as a reporter and columnist, including 31 years at the Detroit Free Press.

Duffy’s decision to leave law for journalism reflected his deep commitment to storytelling. He once wrote to Alumni Director Bob Titzel, “The novice Clark Kent took his first hesitant steps into the journalism jungle today, and I think I’m going to like it just fine, especially when I get to sports in a month or so. For now, though, it’s obits, cops and courts.”

Even as he faces serious health challenges, Duffy remains upbeat and grateful. “I’ve had a really fortunate and blessed first 78 years of a great life — true love with a soulmate at age 18, two wonderful children, amazing and memorable educational experiences at Peddie and then Denison University in Ohio. Plus, a fabulous and fun career as a newspaper reporter and columnist,” he reflected.

He continued, “I’ve had a wonderful 60 years as class secretary and as the scribbler for the ’63 Class Notes. We have a very interesting, slightly maverick class with a whole bunch of original personalities.”

As Duffy steps back from his role as class secretary, his legacy stands as a testament to the power of storytelling and human connection. In recognition of over a half century of service as class secretary, Peddie officially named Duffy, at the recommendation of the Chronicle editor and members of the Class of 1963, Class Secretary Emeritus. He is the first alumnus to receive the honor.

Duffy’s final Class Notes column reflects his deep nostalgia for Peddie and his remarkable ability to keep his classmates connected as their long-serving class secretary: “It’s those old Gold and Blue memories, so vivid still over the many decades, that continue to connect us all. To me, that’s a blessing.”