Ode to Eugene Duffy

NASSAU, BAHAMAS – In March of 2022, after a brief phone call, I walked into his office low in spirits and walked out a changed person. That was the start of a crazy, but very respectful friendship that has now come to a screeching halt because of the sting of death. 

I got the news on Monday afternoon that my friend and former boss, Eugene Duffy, had died in his beloved England. I froze in disbelief and just when I was about to break down in the worst level of emotional display, a calming spirit passed through me. I could almost hear his voice telling me to suck it up and so that is what I did. 

Having come to Nassau in 2017, Eugene soon became a part of our society, blending in with the rich and famous and the common man alike. Before becoming the Managing Editor of The Tribune, a title he held until the time of his death, he was the Managing Editor of the Daily Mirror in London. He often referred to his employment at The Tribune as his retirement job. He loved The Bahamas. 

He oversaw The Tribune through two great disasters – Hurricane Dorian in 2019 and the COVID pandemic which started in 2020. 

Eugene was born and educated in Stafford, England. He had three brothers and a sister. He started his journalistic career at the Staffordshire Newsletter. His desire was always to become editor of the Daily Mirror and that he fulfilled.

When I met Eugene, I was overcoming one of life’s speed bumps and he became my muse. In his usual brash way, I remember him saying, “Any time you want to start feeling stupid about yourself, take a look at that fantastic resumé, girl.” He was the wind beneath my wings, a “restorer” if you will. 

He respected me highly as a journalist and I returned the favor. Eugene was a master of words, investigating and putting a story together like no other. He trusted me with The Tribune’s “Insight” editorial column soon after my employment there and he enjoyed watching me explore my own investigations and the damning results. 

“Insight” was published on Monday mornings. I remember on some Mondays when the column was exceptionally “hot”, Eugene would call me and say, “Maybe we should turn our phones off until noon, you know the calls will be coming.” Those calls would lead to extreme and wicked laughter.

He was an amazing boss. He treated me with the utmost respect, he was very encouraging, he always pushed me one step further and he empowered the people who worked with him. Eugene was known for his wicked sense of humor coupled with British “bluntness” and a potty mouth which made him even more hilarious. 

We worked together just shy of two years and during that time I learned a lot of things I thought I already knew. Eugene was a beast at his craft and expected the same of those he worked with. 

Known for a slip up or two with his cell phone, he called me a few months ago laughing hysterically about a note he accidently put in a group that was meant for me. We chatted and laughed for a while and then he told me he was ill. When I pushed him for details, he played it off and asked me, “When are you coming back to work?” and we laughed some more. 

Little did I know that would be the last time I laughed with my friend on this side. 

Shortly after he called me, Eugene returned to England for treatment. He died last week Sunday. He is survived by his wife, Gill, his children and grandchild. 

Bon Voyage, my friend! There will not be another Eugene Duffy to pass this way again any time soon. Well that’s how I see it, anyway. 

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