Taunton soldier remembered: 'The city is without a hero tonight'

Less than two weeks ago, Shane Duffy was home watching his little sister get the winning hit at a Taunton High School softball game.

Duffy, 24, a U.S. Army sergeant and the son of Taunton firefighter Keavin Duffy, has died in Iraq, Mayor Charles Crowley said.

"Shane Duffy served his community and his country with pride and distinction and he's a hero. The city is without a hero tonight," Crowley said at the School Committee meeting Wednesday night.

Crowley said Duffy's family was notified of his death earlier in the day Wednesday.

He leaves behind a wife and baby, Crowley said.

He was home from the war just last month and got to see his younger sister Shanon Duffy play for Taunton High School in a softball game against Dighton-Rehoboth Regional High School.

Shane Duffy was honored before the game on May 23 for his service to his country.

He was preparing to return to Iraq just days later.

Shanon said she was overjoyed her brother got to see her play. She told the "Taunton Daily Gazette", "Today was a great day. With Shane leaving in a couple of days, I was just happy he saw me get that hit and have an important role in the game tonight."

Shane Duffy graduated from Taunton High School in 2003.

The circumstances of Duffy's death have not yet been released.

Crowley asked that flags across the city be flown at half-staff.

On Shane Duffy's MySpace page, which he last updated on Feb. 16, 2006, he says he liked to read about Irish history, lift weights, walk on the beach and spend time outdoors.

He listed his heroes as Michael Collins, Robert Emmet, Hugh O'Neil and "the workers of America."

One of his friends, a 23-year-old Taunton man named Roc, posted a note on his MySpace page: "RIP Shane. You were my brother. Love you kidd."

School Committee member Christine Fagan said Shanon Duffy and her son James are friends and Fagan's late son Kevin, who died in an accident four months ago, and Shane's older brother Keavin were close friends.

Fagan said the Duffys are a loving, close-knit family. She would often see the Duffy kids together at sporting events.

"I know the pain that family must feel. We all need to keep them in our prayers," Fagan said.

"I hate to see it happen again."

Taunton Call