HUDSON FALLS
Wayne I. "Buggsy" MacDuff Sr. 67, of Franklin Street, left his life on earth to join his life time friends, Bob Cicero (Wayne's hero), Fanny Miller and Wayne LaPointe, who lost their fight with cancer before him. He was led by a guiding light given to both he and Debbie by their friend and angel Liz Lennon.

Born on June 30, 1942, in Troy, New York he was the son of the late Edward G. and Alice (Ferguson) MacDuff.

Wayne grew up in Fort Edward and attended school there. He enlisted in the Navy and served from 1959-1963 during the Korean conflict on several ships including the USS Cascade of which he had a tattoo, which he would proudly display to anyone who showed an interest.

He was a past member of the Ft Edward Fire Department and his last held position was captain of the Fort Edward Fire Police. His last employer was Stone Industries of Saratoga Springs.

Wayne had a special knack of picking on every child he came into contact with and most of his nieces and nephews will always remember him for his way of joking with them. They were all special to him but he had a special bond with his niece Patty Hurlburt and her husband Danny and their sons Daniel and Matthew. He had several grandchildren who were all very special to him but one in particular was more than special to him, Thomas Wayne Jr. has walked the walk of cancer with his Papa since he was about 2 years old, wanting to be just like him. It was Thomas that pulled Papa through some of the real tough times and gave him a reason to keep fighting.

Besides his parents he was predeceased by his brothers Earl MacDuff Sr. and Edward R. "Butch" MacDuff and his sister Yvonne Altizio.

Survivors besides his wife and main caregiver Florence "Debbie" MacDuff, who has shared his life for the past 38 years include his youngest son Thomas Wayne MacDuff, Sr. and his wife Jodi of Hartford and their son and Wayne's grandson Thomas Wayne MacDuff, Jr., who have been absolute angels throughout Wayne's illness doing everything and anything they could do to help out. He is also survived by his son from his prior marriage, Wayne I. MacDuff, Jr. and his wife Brigette of Hudson Falls and their children and Wayne's grandchildren Wayne III, Cody and Justin of Hudson Falls and his three other children: Scott Denise and Travis MacDuff, his sister Ruth McMurray of Hudson Falls, his brothers Francis E. MacDuff, with whom he had a strong bond, and his wife Andrea of Hudson Falls and their children and Raymond E. MacDuff of Lake Luzerne and his children as well as many nieces, nephews and cousins.

There were special people in Wayne's life : Bob Wright, Janet, Chris and Kristi Knapp, Mike Eldred, Jack and Buffy Miller, the Monday Night Bowling Team who dared to make him the Manager and all his friends, family and neighbors who helped over the last 5+ years.

Friends and family may call on Saturday, December 26, 2009 from 1-4pm at the M. B. Kilmer Funeral Home, 82 Broadway, Fort Edward, NY 12828. For on-line condolences and the Book of Memories please go to www.kilmerfuneralhome.com.

A celebration of Wayne's life will be held at 4pm at the funeral home. Wayne's request was that every one attend the celebration dressed casually and comfortably.

In lieu of flowers Wayne would like to send a message to all and it won't cost you money, just willpower - "If you smoke, please quit for me and if you don't smoke, don't start. I don't want anyone to raise their risk of getting lung cancer and going through what I have."

We have so many people to thank. The staff at the CR Wood Cancer Center; especially Dr. Stroutenburg, not only for his excellent care and compassion but also for being "Wayne's Best Man" when he presented Debbie with her Christmas present, her "Now, Then and Forever" rings. He chose Jodi to be Debbie's "Maid of Honor " because Jodi helped him to purchase the rings while he was so ill.

We would also like to thank our friends and co-workers at Navilyst Medical and Jerry's Brown's Auto Parts. We couldn't have made it through without you all.

Following the celebration a "Reception" will be held at the Fort Edward Fire Department, Broadway, Fort Edward, NY.

Instead of grieving his loss, we will try our best to smile and celebrate the success he found as a survivor of lung and heart cancer during his fight for the last 5+ years. He is not gone. His memory and strong will to keep fighting will be with us always. Rest in peace my dear Husband, Dad, Pop, Grampy and Papa, for now your struggle is over.

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