Dennis Duffy

Dennis Steven Duffy

Dennis Steven Duffy passed away on March 5, 2023 at his home in North Oaks, MN.  He was born in Minneapolis on August 31, 1952 to John Stafford Duffy and Adelaide Irene (Murray) Duffy, his mother being a guiding force in his life.  Dennis loved his wife, family and friends and, along with wit and good humor, had an adventurous spirit.  He also had a soft and caring heart.

He was captain of the state championship tennis team at Cooper HS in 1970.  He then played on the tennis team at Gustavus Adolphus College, and graduated with a Chemistry and Distributive Science degree in 1974.

Following college, he flew to Paris, bought a bicycle, and explored many back roads of Europe.  Dennis enjoyed sailboat racing, canoeing in the Boundary Waters, scuba diving, underwater photography in the Bahamas, and did some hang gliding and lake kite skiing in his 20’s!  Always an adventurer!

On April 27, 1979, he married Debra Ann Miller and a loving and exciting 43 years of marriage ensued, first with a career move to San Diego. While working in SD, he also obtained his MBA. For entertainment, he captained his 27 ft sailboat, with Deb and friends, to Catalina Island and later sailed to Ensenada, Mexico.

His career began with American Medical Systems, traveling the country providing product technical support to surgeons in the operating room. He was recruited away by 3M where he primarily managed health care businesses during his 30+ year career.  He was awarded the company wide Marketing Excellence Award in ‘85.  From ‘85 to ‘90, he was based in Brussels and managed health care businesses across Europe, enjoying the opportunity to make friends and experience many cultures.  During their marriage, Dennis and Deb traveled extensively, with their most exotic destinations being the Maldives and Bhutan.

Dennis’ volunteer pursuits in retirement reflected his love of the game of golf, as he served as Commodore of White Bear Yacht Club and as a rules official for the MGA. His photography hobby was acknowledged with the juried selection of one of his photos in the State Fair Fine Arts Exhibition.

Dennis was an audiophile — loved music and electronics.  He was also passionate about researching and sharing good wine and food.  He enjoyed entertaining and was the accomplished chef of the house.

Dennis is survived by his wife, Deb, brother, Larry (Shari, deceased), sister, Mary Pat Ruzicka (Roger), and many nieces and nephews and their descendants. He was preceded in death by his parents, and brothers, John (Pat), Thomas (Dee), Daniel (Marianne), Gerald (Judy), and Robert.

A celebration of life will be announced at a later date. Memorials preferred to the American Lung Association and the Evans Scholars Foundation.