Harry A. Duffort | Engineering supervisor, 76

Harry A. Duffort, 76, of Northeast Philadelphia, a retired engineering supervisor and church volunteer, died of lymphoma Nov. 7 at Aria Health-Torresdale Campus.

For 43 years, before retiring in 1999, Mr. Duffort worked for the Philadelphia Water Department. He was a dedicated city employee and rarely missed a day's work, said his daughter, Naomi.

Mr. Duffort graduated from John Bartram High School in Southwest Philadelphia in 1950 and earned a bachelor's degree in engineering from the Drexel Institute of Technology in 1956. He attended 50th class reunions at both schools.

He had been a member of First Baptist Church in Center City since childhood and met his future wife, Yae Ueno, there. For the last 25 years, he had been the church's assistant treasurer. He was also an usher and a deacon, served on the church education board, and was active with a church program that provides services to the homeless, including lunch twice a month.

Mr. Duffort, who was a whiz with numbers and puzzles, was a lifelong Phillies and Eagles fan, his daughter said.

"He would often spend weekend afternoons at his dining-room table plugging away at The Inquirer's crossword, clipping coupons, watching one game on television, and listening to another on the radio," she said.

In addition to his wife of 39 years and daughter, Mr. Duffort is survived by a son, Sam, and three grandchildren.

A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Sunday at First Baptist Church, 123 S. 17th St.