Don Shelby Duke, 81, of Heritage Village died peacefully at Danbury Hospital on April 13, 2015.
Don, known as 'Pete' to his Midwest family was born May 19, 1933 in Chicago, Illinois to Donald Wellington Duke and Jasmine (Shelby) Duke. He moved to Peoria, Illinois at age 9 and grew up there.
Don spent more than 30 years as a high school English teacher in New York City schools, exposing students to the English language he so loved. He wrote fluently and with style and a wry sense of humor. He read widely, especially books about history, and had a seemingly endless knowledge of all sorts of little known facts.
In his forties he decided to explore his Celtic heritage, and learned to play the bagpipe. He was an active member of the County Tyrone Society Pipe Band. Many a March weekend was spent marching, in all kinds of weather, in celebration of St. Patrick's Day.
Don found a way to combine his considerable knowledge of history with his love of music, and began to make toy soldier musical bands. He turned this hobby into a modest business and was flattered when one of his bands was bought. He named his company 'Yossarian Bands' after the character in Catch 22, as his soldiers were making music, not fighting.
He is survived by his wife, Louise and son Caleb Jackson Duke. Also Judy Pool (Roy), Nancy Harris (Joe) and Ted Duke (Lana). His extended family also includes numerous nieces, grandnieces, nephews and grandnephews. He was predeceased by his son Jason Stuart Duke.
Don, known as 'Pete' to his Midwest family was born May 19, 1933 in Chicago, Illinois to Donald Wellington Duke and Jasmine (Shelby) Duke. He moved to Peoria, Illinois at age 9 and grew up there.
Don spent more than 30 years as a high school English teacher in New York City schools, exposing students to the English language he so loved. He wrote fluently and with style and a wry sense of humor. He read widely, especially books about history, and had a seemingly endless knowledge of all sorts of little known facts.
In his forties he decided to explore his Celtic heritage, and learned to play the bagpipe. He was an active member of the County Tyrone Society Pipe Band. Many a March weekend was spent marching, in all kinds of weather, in celebration of St. Patrick's Day.
Don found a way to combine his considerable knowledge of history with his love of music, and began to make toy soldier musical bands. He turned this hobby into a modest business and was flattered when one of his bands was bought. He named his company 'Yossarian Bands' after the character in Catch 22, as his soldiers were making music, not fighting.
He is survived by his wife, Louise and son Caleb Jackson Duke. Also Judy Pool (Roy), Nancy Harris (Joe) and Ted Duke (Lana). His extended family also includes numerous nieces, grandnieces, nephews and grandnephews. He was predeceased by his son Jason Stuart Duke.
Don Shelby Duke, 81, of Heritage Village died peacefully at Danbury Hospital on April 13, 2015.
Don, known as 'Pete' to his Midwest family was born May 19, 1933 in Chicago, Illinois to Donald Wellington Duke and Jasmine (Shelby) Duke. He moved to Peoria, Illinois at age 9 and grew up there.
Don spent more than 30 years as a high school English teacher in New York City schools, exposing students to the English language he so loved. He wrote fluently and with style and a wry sense of humor. He read widely, especially books about history, and had a seemingly endless knowledge of all sorts of little known facts.
In his forties he decided to explore his Celtic heritage, and learned to play the bagpipe. He was an active member of the County Tyrone Society Pipe Band. Many a March weekend was spent marching, in all kinds of weather, in celebration of St. Patrick's Day.
Don found a way to combine his considerable knowledge of history with his love of music, and began to make toy soldier musical bands. He turned this hobby into a modest business and was flattered when one of his bands was bought. He named his company 'Yossarian Bands' after the character in Catch 22, as his soldiers were making music, not fighting.
He is survived by his wife, Louise and son Caleb Jackson Duke. Also Judy Pool (Roy), Nancy Harris (Joe) and Ted Duke (Lana). His extended family also includes numerous nieces, grandnieces, nephews and grandnephews. He was predeceased by his son Jason Stuart Duke.
Don, known as 'Pete' to his Midwest family was born May 19, 1933 in Chicago, Illinois to Donald Wellington Duke and Jasmine (Shelby) Duke. He moved to Peoria, Illinois at age 9 and grew up there.
Don spent more than 30 years as a high school English teacher in New York City schools, exposing students to the English language he so loved. He wrote fluently and with style and a wry sense of humor. He read widely, especially books about history, and had a seemingly endless knowledge of all sorts of little known facts.
In his forties he decided to explore his Celtic heritage, and learned to play the bagpipe. He was an active member of the County Tyrone Society Pipe Band. Many a March weekend was spent marching, in all kinds of weather, in celebration of St. Patrick's Day.
Don found a way to combine his considerable knowledge of history with his love of music, and began to make toy soldier musical bands. He turned this hobby into a modest business and was flattered when one of his bands was bought. He named his company 'Yossarian Bands' after the character in Catch 22, as his soldiers were making music, not fighting.
He is survived by his wife, Louise and son Caleb Jackson Duke. Also Judy Pool (Roy), Nancy Harris (Joe) and Ted Duke (Lana). His extended family also includes numerous nieces, grandnieces, nephews and grandnephews. He was predeceased by his son Jason Stuart Duke.
Family Members
Children
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
Advertisement
