Seymour S. Duckman

Seymour “Sid” Duckman, 92 passed away peacefully on Thursday, June 30, 2011, at Hunterdon Medical Center in Raritan Township, NJ.

Born in Bayonne, NJ, on January 17, 1919, he was a loving husband, father, educator and a lifelong athlete. Sid was the quarterback of his high school team, known for his golden arm which threw footballs over 65 yards. He achieved high accolades for over 30 years in track and field activities, including long jump, high jump, 100 and 200 meter, shot put, discus, javelin, and swimming. His athletic achievements continued into his senior years. He was a multiple gold and silver medalist at the National Senior Olympic games. He was named Athlete of the Year in Florida and has had a day named in honor of him by the governor. Many of his athletic endeavors were undertaken while he was undergoing treatment for cancer: colon cancer in his late 60s, prostate cancer at 72, kidney cancer at 80, and lung cancer at 89. He received national recognition in CNN, Time Magazine, USA Today, Newsweek and many other publications for his life and endeavors. His motto was, “you can achieve anything if you want to, just never give up!”

Sid was a graduate of Rutgers University with a master’s degree in education. He taught in the South Plainfield District until he retired to Daytona Beach, Florida, in 1984.

He was a loving husband of 52 years to Dorothy (deceased), father of six daughters, Laraine Hackett, Joy Storch, Sharon Peck, Cindy Eizinger, Bonnie Sue Bjorlo and Wendie Lou (deceased). He has was blessed with 12 grandchildren and nine – soon to be ten –great grandchildren.

Funeral Services will take place Sunday at 11:00 a.m. in the Holcombe-Fisher Funeral Home, 147 Main Street, Flemington, NJ. Interment will follow in United Hebrew Cemetery, 122 Arthur Kill Road, Staten Island, NY. There are no calling hours. Please visit www.holcombefisher.com for further information or to send condolonces.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in honor of Seymour Duckman to the American Cancer Society.