Name: Funeral Mass
Start: 01/20/2016 11:00 AM
Location: Sundquist Funeral Home

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IN LOVING MEMORY OF

James L.

Duflo

May 13, 1921 – January 15, 2016

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Obituary

LOWVILLE – Longtime businessman and insurance agent, James L. DuFlo, passed away on Friday morning, January 15, 2016 . He was 94.

Born in Croghan on May 13, 1921 , the son of Thomas and Petronella Ostroski DuFlo, James attended Father Leo Memorial School for nine years, and as a young man, he also served as altar boy at St. Stephen's Catholic Church. In 1939, James graduated from Lowville Free Academy and Watertown School of Commerce with an Accounting degree and was employed for a short time at Fort Drum . It was during that time that he enlisted in Troop A New York State Calvary National Guard.

He then became a millwright's apprentice for Munson Mill and Machine Co. in Utica , and worked for Farmers and Traders until August of 1942, when he enlisted in the Army Air Force. James served with the metrological branch of the Air Force for three and a half years in the Pacific theater during World War II. During that period, he was awarded several medals and was privileged to have flown in General MacArthur's aircraft in New Guinea .

On November 27, 1946 , he married Dorothy Weller at St. Peter's Catholic Church with Msgr. Hogan officiating. They made their home in Lowville, where Mr. DuFlo joined the 101-year-old insurance firm of Moore , Levis and Toussaint, Inc. He was appointed Vice-President of that firm in 1951 and President in 1954. In the late 1950's, Jim expanded the insurance firm to include the sale of real estate, changing its name to the DuFlo Agency, Inc. In the years following, Jim sold both commercial and residential properties, earning great respect in Jefferson and Lewis Counties . He was instrumental in the acquisition and construction of the Lowville plaza at the intersection of Routes 12 and 26. He retired in 2008.

Mr. and Mrs. DuFlo celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in 1996 with a Mass at St. Peter's Catholic Church and a family dinner, and their 60th anniversary in 2006 with a quieter celebration. They enjoyed many summers in the Thousand Islands and their winters in Naples , Florida . The couple was a member of the Valley Rounds Dance Club for several years. Mrs. DuFlo died on Friday, March 2, 2012 .

James was a communicant of St. Peter's Catholic Church and served the Lowville community in many ways, including as President of both the Lewis County Chamber of Commerce and the Lowville Kiwanis Club. He was also President of the Jeff-Lewis Board of realtors and served on the Board of Directors of the Independent Insurance Agents of New York. He was a life member of BPOE Lodge #1605, Lowville, of the American Legion Post #162, and the Lewis County Memorial Post #6912 V.F.W. He was also a member of the Watertown Power Squadron.

Jim's many interests included hunting and fishing. Over the years, he enjoyed many trips to Newfoundland and Quebec , and was a member of the New Bremen Fish and Game Club, and member and President of the Woods Lake Hunting Club.

Surviving Mr. DuFlo are his four children and their spouses: David J. and Debra DuFlo, Rochester; Janet D. and John Easter, Hamilton, NJ; Daniel J. and Tracy DuFlo, Lowville; and Patricia D. and Bruce Widrick, Watertown; four grandchildren, Samantha DuFlo, Nicole DuFlo, Sara Kirner, and Brianna Ritz, a great-granddaughter, Claire Kirner, and a great-grandson, Benjamin Kirner, a sister, Isabel D. Bush of Soft Maple, and many nieces and nephews. His brothers, Francis and Thomas, and his sister, Pauline D. Johndrow, and his granddaughter, Emily Easter, predeceased him.

A memorial mass will be said on Wednesday, January 20th at 11:00 A.M. at St. Peter's Catholic Church, Lowville, with Rev. Christopher Carrara, Pastor, officiating.

Spring burial will be in St. Stephen's Cemetery in Croghan with military honors.

Family and friends may call at the Sundquist Funeral Home in Lowville on Tuesday, January 19th

from 1 to 3P.M.

Memorial contributions may be made in James DuFlo's name to Catholic Charities Administrative Office, Wadhams Hall, 6866 State Highway 37, Ogdensburg , NY 13669 ; or to the Lewis County Memorial Post #6912 V.F.W., 7752 W. State St. , Lowville , NY 13367 .

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