John Duncan

Obituary

JOHN J. DUNCAN

1943-2023

John (Jack) Duncan, 80 of Raymondville, NY passed away with his loving family by his side, at his home in Port Orange, FL on September 12, 2023.

Jack was born March 23, 1943 in Troy, NY to Robert and Florence (Keefe) Duncan. He is survived by his wife of 59 years, Carole (Latulipe) and his daughter Kathy Humphries and her husband, Neal; John and his wife Kimberly and his granddaughter, Arabella; and Mark and his wife Michelle.

He is also survived by his brothers Donald and his wife Anne, Kenneth and his wife Yvonne and sister Joyce Vecchiarelli and her husband Robert. He is also survived by his in-laws Betty Duncan, Theresa Sweet, Eleanor Latulippe, Cecille Miller, Leo and Jane Latulipe, Joyce Latulipe, Frank and Barb Latulipe, Brian and Lucie LaPlante and Gould and Anne Hunter along with numerous nieces and nephews and a host of long-time friends.

He was predeceased by his parents and brother David.

Jack graduated from Salmon River Central High School in 1961. He played hockey and baseball from 1958-1961 and football from 1959-1961. He served as Captain for two years in all three sports and achieved All-Northern status for three years in hockey and two years in baseball. He was drafted by the New York Yankee Baseball Organization in 1962.

After returning from his professional baseball stint, he returned to upstate NY to marry his sweetheart and settle in the area. He attended Rider College prior to reporting to spring training camp and graduated from Potsdam State in 1973 with a Bachelor of Science degree. He completed several graduate classes and received his teaching certification in 1973. After returning to upstate NY and prior to graduating college he was invited to a tryout camp for a World Hockey Association Team, the Ottawa Nationals. He also served as Asst. Hockey and Baseball Coach at Canton ATC and Potsdam College. He was also selected to compete on Team Canada All-Stars in the Kennedy International Memorial Winter Games which took place in Lake Placid in 1970.

He worked for Alcoa from 1964-69, then taught and coached Varsity ice hockey and Junior Varsity football at Salmon River Central High School (his alma mater). During his four-year coaching career at Salmon River, he led his hockey team to two League Championships. Jack also served as a hockey referee during this time (1969-1975). Jack worked for General Motors from 1977-1982, then went to Ogdensburg Free Academy for a year to teach and serve as Asst. Varsity Ice Hockey Coach. He transitioned from Ogdensburg to Norwood-Norfolk Central High School where he taught and coached Varsity baseball and ice hockey. The hockey team won Section X Championship in 1985 and he won Coach of the Year twice, in 1985 and 1987. While coaching baseball there, the team won the Section X Championships four times. He was named Coach of the Year for three of those years. He coached his sons during this time frame and played with them in the Northern Valley Baseball League, and other softball teams in the area.

Mr. Duncan played for the Fort Covington Travelers and Raymondville/Norfolk Rovers. He played for over 25 years and was awarded MVP and top batting titles numerous times. He played hockey with numerous teams throughout his lifetime, far too many to list here. Most notably he played for the Potsdam Pioneers (later Massena Pioneers). As one of the original members of the team, he held nearly every team scoring record and garnered numerous MVP awards, as well as Most Gentlemanly Player and Pioneer of the Year. The team had several international exhibition games including the West German and Czechoslovakian Olympic teams.

Jack retired from Riverview Corrections in 2000 where he served as Recreation Program Leader since 1989. He played hockey in the Correction Olympics and led his team to six gold medals. He also played several law enforcement tournaments with his daughter in Lake Placid during this time.

Mr. Duncan was inducted into the Athletic Hall of Fame at Salmon River Central in 2007.

Jack and his wife, Carole have enjoyed being snowbirds during the harsh NY winters. Jack continued to dominate softball diamonds in Florida, as he has been a standout in Senior League Softball since 2000. He also enjoyed golf with family and friends and won numerous tournaments in the north country.

There will be no formal funeral services. Condolences and memories may be expressed at www.baldwincremation.com

In lieu of flowers, his wishes are that we are more compassionate, understanding and kind to each other. Also recognize those whose service and sacrifice makes this world a better place.

“Pay it forward “