Jack A. Duncan

Cohoes - Jack A. Duncan, 68, died suddenly Saturday, January 25, 2025, at Samaritan Hospital.

Born in Fairbanks, Alaska, he was son of the late John W. Duncan and Patricia A. Thornton Duncan and husband of the late Judith D. Wagner Duncan. He came to Raymertown in 1966 and resided in Cohoes for the past 23 years and was a graduate of Tamarac High School and took Culinary Arts at Schenectady County Community College.

Jack was employed as a chef for Duncan's Dairy Bar in Brunswick, the Purple Pub in Watervliet and Smith's Restaurant in Cohoes where he met his wife, Judy, along with other restaurants, but always returned to Duncan’s. He loved working at Duncan’s. He loved the hometown atmosphere, the customers, and his co-workers-especially working with his family.

An avid fisherman, Jack could be found at the Tomhannock reservoir during anytime he had off. He enjoyed watching football, loved the Los Angeles Rams and any loss he took as a personal insult. He enjoyed going to casinos and betting at the track, and didn’t mind losing saying “ Don't bet more than you can afford to lose- they’re in business for a reason.”

Jack had his personal demons, he made some poor choices in his earlier life and spent many years trying to make amends to people he felt he had wronged. He was proud of his sobriety which he attained through self determination but was ashamed that he needed to do it. He was especially grateful for his relationships with the love of his life/best friend Val and his siblings who got him through some of his darkest days.  When Jack loved - he loved deeply, and we owe more for his loving us than we could have ever paid back. No one made you feel the love more openly than Jack- he enjoyed everyone- and he made you feel it- with a laugh and a smile and the forever twinkle in his eye. 

Survivors include his beloved fiancé Valerie Dessingue, children, Kristen (Suzie Coyne) Duncan, Waterford, JJ Duncan, Cohoes and Elizabeth Duncan, Waterford; his siblings, Richard (Nancy) Duncan, Raymertown, Terry Duncan, Raymertown, Cynthia (Homer) Bornt, Troy and Brian Duncan, Raymertown and several nieces and nephews. 

Relatives and friends may call at the Bryce Funeral Home Inc.  276 Pawling Avenue Troy on Thursday, January 30, 2025 from 4-7 PM.

In lieu of flowers contributions may be made in memory of Jack Duncan to The Community Hospice (Gift Processing Center) 310 S. Manning Blvd. Albany, NY 12208 or Raymertown Volunteer Fire Department 43 Mason Lane Troy, NY 12180.  We recommend using the brycefuneralhome.com website to share or send condolences, light a candle, view videos or for service directions.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Jack A. Duncan, please visit our floral store.