Cecil L. Duffett

Cecil L. “Duff” Duffett, 93, peacefully passed away on Monday, February 8, 2021. 
 
Born October 1, 1927, in Vickery, OH., he was the son of George and Mildred (Yechley)
Duffett.
 
Mr. Duffett graduated from Austintown-Fitch High School (1945). He starred in three
sports for the Fitch Falcons. In basketball, he was selected to the All County Basketball
Team. He qualified for the state track meet in the mile run finishing 4 th in the state at the
Ohio State University. He held the mile run record for 21 years at Fitch High School.
Upon graduation, he enlisted in the United States Army Air Corps. Honorably
discharged from the Army, Duffett matriculated at Youngstown College on the GI Bill of
Rights. He was a 2-year varsity athlete letterman in both basketball and baseball for the
Penguins.
Graduating from Youngstown College in 1952 with a BS in education. He began a
distinguished career in local public school education. From 1952 until 1971, he was a
teacher, coach, athletic director and principal at his alma mater, Austintown-Fitch High
School. He was appointed head principal of Poland Seminary High School in 1971
retiring from Poland in 1986. Along the way, he completed his Master’s Degree in
Education (1959) at Kent State University. 
 
Duffett was inducted into two prestigious athletic hall of fames; the Austintown-Fitch
HOF and the Curbstone Coaches HOF.  Upon retirement, Duffett became the
Commissioner of The Steel Valley Conference from 1987-97. At its zenith, some
considered the SVC as one of the very best high school athletic conferences in the
United States. 
 
“Duff” was a very active member of Zion Lutheran Church. His second ministry was the
Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) where he was on the FCA Board for nearly two
decades. He raised over $340,000 for FCA Ministries. During their retirement, he
enjoyed winters with JoAnn at his condominium in Ft. Myers, Florida.
 
“Duff” leaves to cherish his memory his lovely wife JoAnn, a retired teacher and English
Department Chairwoman at Fitch High School, three sons the Rev. Dr. Robert (Connie)
Duffett, Chief Development Officer for World Renew of the Christian Reformed Church,
Grand Rapids, MI; Raymond (Shelley) Duffett, MD, Orthopedic Surgeon, Canfield,
OH; Canfield Mayor Richard (Brenda) Duffett, Securitas Security Solutions, USA, Inc., a
brother Daryl “Jim” Duffett of Canfield, eight grandchildren; David (Samantha) Duffett,
Allison (Dillon) Goodell, Andrew Duffett, Dana (Ben) Green, Ross Duffett, James
Glidewell, Matthew (Bethany) Glidewell, Jessica (Kevin) Myers and five Great-
Grandchildren, Leah Pounds, Sean Myers, Isabella Glidewell, Noah Glidewell and John
Duffett, and many special nieces and nephews, and many great friends. Mr. Duffett was
preceded in death by his sister Glenna Mae Beebe. 
 

In-person Funeral Services will be conducted at 11:00 AM, this Saturday, February 13,
2021, at Zion Lutheran Church, 3300 Canfield Road, Youngstown, with the Rev. Duane
Jesse officiating. Mr. Duffett’s son, the Rev. Dr. Robert Duffett, will deliver the eulogy. 
Visitation will begin at 10-11:00 am, followed by a Military Service at 11:00 am in Zion’s
large sanctuary that facilitates social distancing.  All safety protocols will be in place for
everyone’s safety.  Masking, sanitation stations and social distancing of 6’ will be in
effect. All guests shall depart the church immediately after greeting the Family. 
In honor of Mr. Cecil L. Duffett, Memorial Contributions may be made to Zion 
Lutheran Church. 
Duffett’s funeral will be live streamed via Richard A. Duffett’s Facebook page.