Family’s second cancer tragedy

A SCARVA family has been struck by tragedy for the second time in two years with the death of their beloved son.

Philip Duffie, a father-of-three who lived at Villawood Meadows in Dromore, passed away on Friday - just two years after the tragic death of his sister Diane Hoey, a mother-of-two.

Philip, a son of William and Noeleen, died at Belfast City Hospital after suffering a short illness.

Aged in his early 40s, Philip is survived by his wife Jill and daughters Kara, Claire and Sarah.

The popular local man, who worked as a police officer in the area, was also a regular player for Scarva Rangers and is fondly remembered by his team mate Stephen Patton.

“He was such a friendly, engaging, immensely likeable person, brimming with fundamental human decency and a zest for life,” said Stephen.

“I’ll never forget the banter in the changing rooms and the laughs, even when results didn’t give us much to laugh about.”

The Police Federation also offered their deepest sympathies following Philip’s death.

Philip’s sister Diane was aged just 37 when she died in March 2010 as a result of an infection she contracted after beating Hodgkins’ Lymphoma.

Following her death her husband Sam told the Leader his wife had been the most positive of people, despite suffering a terrible illness.

“Once you met Diane, you just wouldn’t forget her; she lit up a room,” said Sam. “She touched everyone with her bright sense of humour and bubbly personality.”

Philip’s funeral was held at St Matthew’s Parish Church in Scarva on Monday afternoon.

Donations in lieu of flowers can be sent to William Bell and Co for the Friends of the Cancer Centre.