Longtime Rumsonite and former Oceanic Hook & Ladder Company No. 1  Chief Edward J. Duffy passed away with his family at his side at Riverview Medical Center on Jan. 9. He was 81.

Born Jan 4, 1935 to James and Catherine (Walsh) Duffy in New York City , where he spent his youth and attended Power Memorial Academy, Ed first came to Rumson as a teen vacationing with his parents. He met his bride Midge there and moved to the borough permanently in 1955.

A 59-year member of Oceanic Hook & Ladder, Ed served as its chief in 1971, company president from 1975 to 76 and served on most of the fire company’s committees.

He created the fire company’s social committee, putting much effort into managing bus trips, picnics and parties. Ed retired from Coastal Building Maintenance in 2000 after more than 30 years as its vice president /general manager.

He had a passion for theater, from Broadway to local community theater productions. “He was inspired to write his own comedy mysteries, bringing laughter to many,” his obituary from Thompson Memorial Home said. “He was our favorite comic, magician and jokester. We will forever miss checking the mail to find a card from him with a joke or newspaper clipping.”

Ed Duffy is survived by his wife of 59 years, Margaret (Midge); daughters, Marie Duffy, Margaret Duffy Bodchon and Regina Duffy; his son, Edward Duffy; grandchildren, Kristen Turner, Brian Custer, AJ Custer, Nicole Bodchon, and Derek Bodchon; and three great grandchildren; his brothers, James Duffy and Philip Duffy; and his sister, Virginia Keane.

He was predeceased by his sisters Grace Linderman and Catherine Ferrick, and his son-in-law, David Bodchon.

Visitation is Tuesday from 2 to 4  and 7 to 9 p.m. at Thompson Memorial Home, 310 Broad St., Red Bank. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10 a.m. on Wednesday at Holy Cross Church, Ward Avenue, Rumson. Interment will follow at Mt. Olivet Cemetery, Middletown.

— Edited obituary from Thompson Memorial Home