Benjamin J. Duffy

Benjamin (Ben) Duffy, 44, of Chula Vista, CA, died of natural causes on January 21, 2021, at Sharp Medical Center in Chula Vista.

Benjamin John Duffy was born on January 20, 1977, in Davenport, the second of seven children of Michael and Linda (Brus) Duffy. Ben valued being part of a large and loving family where he exercised his independence from an early age. Four days after graduating from Assumption High School in 1995, Ben entered the United States Marine Corps. He completed boot camp at MCRD and advanced training in computers at Quantico, VA.  He went on to serve in Thailand, South Korea, Okinawa, and Twentynine Palms, California.

While an active duty Marine, Ben was in a car accident that left him a quadriplegic at the age of 20. He spent six months in inpatient rehabilitation at the Spinal Cord Injury Unit of the VA Hospital in La Jolla, CA, receiving excellent care, and leaving determined to fulfill his lifelong dream to build a life for himself in the San Diego area. Ben retired from the U.S. Marine Corps in 1998 having earned the rank of Corporal.

Ben became the primary director of his care, built a home in Chula Vista, and nurtured many lasting friendships. He will be fondly remembered by all who knew him for his quick wit, dry sense of humor, and special ability to communicate complex thoughts with his facial expressions.  He loved watching Notre Dame football and took pride in hosting family and friends for frequent visits that were highlighted by exceptional meals. Ben spent many childhood vacations working toward and ultimately achieving his goal of seeing a baseball game at every major league stadium. As an adult, he enjoyed trips to Las Vegas and engaged in fierce games of Jeopardy!

Ben graduated cum laude with a degree in economics from San Diego State University – despite the added job of tutoring many of his note-takers on the appropriate use of mathematical symbols. After graduation, Ben continued to study economics, business, and history. He had a passionate respect for personal freedom, and he cared deeply about the future of our country. Ben valued both learning and teaching through the exchange of ideas. He especially enjoyed teaching free market principles to his nieces & nephews.

Ben’s resilience and positive attitude had a lasting effect on those who had the privilege of knowing him.  He and his family will be forever grateful to his loyal and loving caregivers who helped him maintain his independence. Special thanks are due to Rose Pulido, Jesus Arellano, Lissette Solis, Jackie Najar, and most especially Lilia Reg, RN, who was with him from the time of his rehab discharge until the hour of his death.

Ben is survived by his parents, Michael and Linda Duffy of Davenport; his siblings, Brendon (Megan) Duffy, Cold Spring, Minn., Bridget (Kevin) Murphy, Davenport, Brianna (Mark) Lane, Preston, Iowa, Bradley (Alison) Duffy, West Des Moines, Iowa, Brian (Alex) Duffy, Davenport, and Bethany (Jonathan) Ketz, Davenport; 28 nieces and nephews; and many aunts, uncles, cousins and friends. He was preceded in death by his loving grandparents, a nephew, the free market, and the fiscal health of the state of California.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be 10 a.m. Tuesday, February 2, 2021 at St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church in Davenport. The Mass will be livestreamed by visiting https://www.facebook.com/stpauldisciples  Burial will follow at Rock Island National Cemetery. Visitation will be Monday from 4 until 7 p.m. at the Halligan-McCabe-DeVries Funeral Home, downtown Davenport. There will be additional visitation Tuesday from 9 until 10 a.m. in the gathering space at church. In lieu of flowers memorials to honor Ben may be directed to the Foundation for Economic Education (FEE), Fisher House, or St. Paul the Apostle Church.