Herbert Allen Duke

Visiting hours will be held at the Alfred D. Thomas Funeral Home 326 Granite Ave Milton MA on Friday April 12 from 10:30am-12:00pm. A funeral service will be held in the funeral home at 12:00pm. Burial to follow at Milton Cemetery. 

Herbert Allen Duke, affectionately known as Herb to his friends and loved ones, passed away peacefully on April 8, 2024, in Milton, MA, at the age of 92. Born on October 25, 1931, in Boston, MA, Herb was a cherished husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather whose warmth and humor touched all who knew him.

Herb grew up in Milton MA and was a proud graduate of Milton High School in 1949. During Herb’s senior year he won a state championship in basketball as a Milton (Whiz Kid). He then continued his education at Boston University, earning a Bachelor's Degree in Arts and Sciences in 1954. His commitment to service was evident early on when he enlisted as a Seaman recruit in the United States Coast Guard reserves on May 17th, 1951. After serving his country for six years, Herb transitioned into civilian life with grace and dedication.

In 1964, Herb joined the family insurance company, Bayard T. Duke Insurance, where he worked diligently to uphold the family legacy. Following the passing of his father in 1970, Herb took the helm of the business, rebranding it as Duke Insurance. Under his leadership, the company flourished for two decades until his retirement in 1996. His professionalism and integrity in business were matched only by his commitment to his family, especially his beloved wife Shirley, with whom he shared a lifetime of love and ballroom dancing.

Herb's life was rich with interests and hobbies that reflected his jovial and friendly nature. He had a passion for making jokes and could light up a room with his humor. His love for Brigham's vanilla ice cream was only rivaled by his enjoyment of listening to country music. Herb cherished traveling to Cape Cod and Florida, where he basked in the sun and the company of his family. He was a connoisseur of family home-cooked meals, and nothing compared to the quality time he spent with his grandchildren, whom he adored immensely.

In addition to his wife, Shirley Duke, Herb leaves behind a loving family who will miss him dearly. His legacy continues through his daughter Sandra Fitzgerald and son-in-law James Fitzgerald, his daughter Nancy White, his granddaughter Jennifer Curley and her wife Samantha Curley, his grandson Cameron White and his girlfriend Nadia Alouani, his granddaughter Allison White and her husband Allen White, and his great-grandchildren Tucker White and Taylor White. His granddaughter Amanda Howard and her husband Benjamin Howard, along with their child Bo Howard, will also hold Herb's memory close to their hearts.

Herb was a man who lived his life with love, laughter, and a deep sense of connection to those around him. His presence at his grandson’s basketball games, cheering loudly and proudly, will be fondly remembered by his family and friends. The words loving, funny, and friendly are a testament to the man Herb was - a beacon of joy and friendliness in the lives of many.

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As we bid farewell to Herbert Allen Duke, we celebrate a life well-lived, filled with love, laughter, and countless cherished memories. His spirit will continue to inspire and guide us, and his legacy will live on in the hearts of those who knew him. Herb's life was a tapestry woven with the love of his family, the respect of his peers, and the joy he found in every moment. He will be profoundly missed, but never forgotten.

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