Gavan Duffy

Earl Gavan Duffy, Professor Emeritus at the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs at Syracuse University, died on September 6th in Syracuse, New York. He was 75 years old.

Gavan was born in Arlington, Massachusetts. He was the eldest son of Earl and Bernice Duffy's five children. Gavan’s father was transferred to Houston, Texas where Gavan attended high school and the University of Houston. It was here where Gavan began his interest in politics, demonstrating the war in Vietnam, Richard Nixon, Women's rights, and other tumultuous 60’s issues.

After graduating from the University of Houston, Gavan would go on to the Massachusetts Institute of Technology for his Masters and Doctoral degrees. At MIT, Gavan fell in love with Lily Ling, who became his wife of 34 years.

Gavan taught at Syracuse University for 30 years. Additionally, he was an assistant professor at the University of Texas at Austin and a lecturer at Northeastern University. Gavan produced numerous academic and technical papers, guest lectured, and even worked to create software.

In 1999, Gavan served as a visiting professor at Oxford University. Lily was faculty at the Institute of Social Studies in The Hague at the time and he wanted to be closer to her. When Lily moved back to Syracuse, she was regaling a friend about life in the Netherlands. The friend asked, “What did you miss the most about American life?” Lily quickly replied, “Gavan!”

Gavan, a self-taught musician, enjoyed playing the guitar and banjo, singing, and writing songs; as a songwriter he was ambitious and sophisticated. In his college years, psychedelic rock held a special place in his heart, his favorite band being the 13th Floor Elevators from Austin, Texas. Later, he was a regular member of a monthly jam circle in Syracuse, made up of Syracuse University and Maxwell faculty members and staff and sometimes hosted at this home. With these friends, Gavan performed classic country, alt-Texas, and other roots music (e.g., Townes Van Zandt, Blaze Foley, Johnny Cash). Among his Syracuse friends, he later told many stories about meeting the greats of folk/country music there. In recent years, Gavan had also been featured proudly as a songwriter in the prominent local-songwriter concert series of the time.

Friends recall the weekly poker game that Gavan hosted in his home for over 15 years. The group of graduate students, professors, and friends played various poker games while chatting and exchanging friendly barbs. Turning Stone Casino was also a favorite haunt for Gavan.

Gavan is predeceased by wife, Lily Ling. He is survived by his sister, Lynn Kastow (Duffy), her husband Andy, his niece Catherine Wideman, his sister-in-law Ann Duffy, his nephews, Mark Charton, Neil Blakemore, and Steven Blakemore, and his sister-in-law Carol Duffy.

A memorial service will be held for Gavan on Saturday, October 11th at the Maxwell School of Syracuse University at 11 a.m. in Eggers Hall Room 220. All are welcome.