Obituary of Duane F. Padgett

Age 81, passed away in the comfort of his home, surrounded by his loving family on March 15th. Duane was born in Elmira, a son of DeGrove and Ethel (Squires) Padgett. He is predeceased by his sister-in-law Loranca Padgett. Duane is survived by his wife of 60 years Catherine Cecchini Padgett; son and daughter-in-law Mark C. and Deirdre "Dede" Padgett of Elmira and their children, Dr. Christina (fiancé Dr. Sangrok Oh) Padgett and Daniel (Ashley) Padgett; daughter Patricia A. Chalk of Elmira, with John Bovaird, and her children, Mary Catherine (Stephen) Hughes, Sandra (Benjamin) Abbott and Patrick (with Brianne Cain) Chalk; brothers and sister-in-law, Tom Padgett of Elmira, David and Letha Padgett of Horseheads; sister Sandra May of Elmira; great-grandchildren, Stephen M. "Tripp" Hughes III and Delaney Catherine Hughes; along with several nieces and nephews. Duane was a 1953 graduate of Southside High School, where he was a letterman in almost every sport. He even attended the state finals at West Point for track. Upon graduation he became an apprentice tool maker at Remington Rand. He then went on to become a tool and dye maker at Westinghouse Electric. It was during this time that he enlisted in the National Guard, serving as a Specialist 3rd Class with Company B of the 175th Armored Infantry Battalion. He was in the guard until 1958. Duane married Catherine Cecchini in 1956. Duane began his long and illustrious career with the Elmira Police Department on April 11, 1962. In 1964 Duane's ability to work with young people was noted by the department and he was assigned to the Juvenile Bureau. That same year he received the JAYCEE'S "Young Man of the Year" service award for his devotion to the community's youth. He was appointed permanently as an investigator to the Youth Bureau in 1972. In 1990 he was selected to be a board member of the NYS Juvenile Officers Association. Although his primary responsibility was juvenile investigations, Duane did assist the Detective Bureau with numerous other investigations. In June of 1992 Duane worked with the Secret Service on a protective mission involving Sir Linden Pindling, the Prime Minister of the Bahamas at the time. Duane retired from the force on April 11, 1995 after 33 years of service. Duane was the driving force of the St. Mary's CYO program for more than 30 years, coaching baseball, basketball, track, as well as Small Fry football. He received the WENY Recognition Award for Outstanding Work with Youth of Elmira in 1971. Aside from his strong commitment to youth sports, Duane still found time to play in the Elmira Softball League and participated in various bowling leagues. He was also an avid golfer and a long standing member of the Dew Bird Golfers' Association. Duane and Catherine enjoyed the winters in Ormond Beach, FL and family trips to Disney World. He was a member of the AOH Monsignor John J. Lee Division and of the Elmira Elks, #62. Duane was also a life time communicant of St. Mary's Church. Family and friends are invited to McInerny Funeral Home, 502 W. Water Street, Elmira, on Thursday, March 23, 2017 from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 pm. A prayer service will be held at the funeral home on Friday, March 24, 2017, 9:15 a.m., followed by a Mass of Christian Burial, 10:00 a.m. at St. Mary's Church, Elmira. Interment, with committal prayers, will take place at St. Peter & Paul's Cemetery, Elmira. Those wishing may remember Duane with a donation to St. Mary's Church Southside. The family also wishes to extend a heartfelt thank you to Duane's niece, Susan Padgett, for her tireless efforts in providing comfort for her uncle during his final weeks at home. Officers and members of the Men's Division of A.O.H. will meet at the funeral home on Thursday at 7:00 p.m. to conduct a service for our brother, Duane, signed, Tim Tobin, President.