Paul C. Duke III, grandson of George G. Blaisdell, founder of
Zippo Manufacturing Co., died Wednesday (Sept. 28, 2005) in
Watertown, N.Y., following a short illness.
He was 52.
Mr. Duke was born Nov. 2, 1952, in Bradford, a son of Sarah
(Richard) Blaisdell Dorn and the late Paul C. Duke Jr.
He was employed by Zippo Manufacturing Co. for 18 years until
September of 2000. He worked in various divisions of the company,
including the production and engineering departments. He was also a
former owner of the company and former member of the board of
directors. He was also a director of the Blaisdell Foundation.
“Zippo is saddened by the death today of Paul C. Duke III,” said
Greg Booth, Zippo president and chief executive officer. “The
company joins the members of the Blaisdell family in mourning the
passing of Paul Duke.”
Mr. Duke was also a generous contributor to the University of
Pittsburgh at Bradford, the McKean County SPCA, the Bradford
Hospital and many other local organizations and charities.
In August, Mr. Duke gave a $500,000 gift to Pitt-Bradford to
support the university’s technology needs and to establish the Paul
C. Duke Technology Fund, which will fund future needs.
To recognize Mr. Duke’s generosity, the university plans to name
the aquatic center the Paul C. Duke Aquatic Center, which will
serve as home for the university’s swim teams.
“Paul Duke was a strong friend and supporter of the university,”
said Dr. Livingston Alexander, president of the University of
Pittsburgh at Bradford. “Most recently, he gave a very generous
gift to support Pitt-Bradford’s current and future technology
needs. We are saddened by his passing and offer our sincere
condolences to his family and friends.”
He was a 1971 graduate of Memorial High School in Houston,
Texas. He attended the University of Texas.
He was a past master of the Northern Star Lodge 555 Free and
Accepted Masons and was a Shriner. He served on the board of
Futures Rehabilitation and had been active in Big Brothers/Big
Sisters of McKean County.
Surviving, in addition to his mother, are a daughter, Sarah Duke
of Bradford; stepchildren, Kara Close and Beau Close, both of
Bradford; his brother, George B. Duke; nephews, George B. Duke Jr.
and Grant B. Duke; and numerous cousins.
Friends will be received from 3 to 5 and 7 to 9 p.m. Sunday in
the Hollenbeck-Cahill Funeral Homes Inc., East Main Street, where
funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Monday with the Rev. W.
LeRoy Beckes, pastor of the First Presbyterian Church, officiating.
Burial will follow in Willow Dale Cemetery.
Northern Star Lodge 555 F&AM will conduct a Masonic service
at 8:30 p.m. Sunday in the funeral home.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the McKean County
SPCA or a charity or organization of the donor’s choice.
