Family, friends and former colleagues gathered at the Crown and Thistle to celebrate the life of Tom Duffy, known to many as Pat.
To residents of Abingdon town centre, Tom was a familiar and friendly presence — one of the well-known trio of Abingdon Town Council parking wardens, alongside Malcolm and Les. He took on the role after retirement, during a time when the wardens were well-liked by the community. They didn’t just issue tickets — they listened to residents’ concerns and passed them on to the Town Council, often acting as a bridge between local people and local government.
The trio were always ready to lend a hand beyond their official duties, stewarding the Michaelmas Fair and helping at other town events throughout the year.
Music played an important part in Tom’s life. He was often seen at Music at the Unicorn, and in an earlier photo — bearded — he looked every bit the Irish folk singer. People began calling him ‘Paddy,’ which soon became ‘Pat,’ the name that stuck.
Tom had requested a simple cremation. Jim Halliday, leader of the Town Council, described him as a no-fuss, down-to-earth person. But his family decided on this celebration at the Crown and Thistle, and the function room was packed. His friend and former colleague Malcolm remembered him as ‘a lovely chap,’ while his former boss Steve Rich called him ‘a thoroughly nice man.’
Tom will be fondly remembered by many in the town. His wife said she felt lucky to have met her soul mate so early in life — though no time could ever be long enough.
