I was named after my paternal grandfather John P. Duffy. J.P., ‘Jack’ to his wife, Nora (Walsh), who hailed from Clare Island, County Mayo, where his father was the keeper of the light. J.P. was the 14th child and left Clare Island after finishing eighth grade. The world would teach him lessons as there would be no further formal schooling for him.
J.P., as a young teenager, secured a position as a seaman on a local merchant ship. He sailed the world for the next seven years but later in life spoke little of this time, as they were surely tough years. He made his way to New York which became home for the remainder of his life. J.P. easily found work in New York’s bustling commercial boatyards and this ultimately led to his enlisting in the U.S. Coast Guard. He pursued citizenship hoping to become an officer. Citizenship was elusive and it took two decades to secure.
During the Great Depression J.P. married Nora Walsh and took up house painting as his next form of employment. He learned the trade well and went on to form his own painting and contracting business. I worked for my grandfather starting in the eighth grade. Starting at the bottom of corporate ladder, I cleaned brushes and rollers. I apprenticed in the trade working alongside men who brought their craft with them from across Ireland and the Continent.
It was a wonderful journey for me – from painting closets (no fun), to rolling ceilings, mixing paint colors, fixing Brownstone townhouses from rope scaffolding, to finally becoming foreman. My grandfather said business was straightforward – “you say what you will do and then do as you say.” His storefront sign hangs in my home as a fine reminder of those special years.
I had the opportunity to run his business with the help of my father. But my grandmother Nora implored us to simply close the business. She did not want to field phone calls complaining about the quality of my work! The business was closed per her wishes. It was a sad day but a proud day nonetheless. J.P. was a demanding man and a shrewd businessman who exhibited great resilience throughout his life. He taught me many life lessons. Between him and my father I have been given a Ph.D in life and business and a blueprint for success and happiness in life. I’m a fortunate guy.
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