Steve Duke of Mattituck died in Southampton Hospital on June 14, 2016. He was 95 years old.
He was born in Mattituck on December 3, 1920 to Michael and Karen Duke and was baptized a Roman Catholic on January 8, 1921 in Sacred Heart R.C. Church.
In 1940, he graduated from Mattituck High School and then served in the United States Army Air Force as an airplane crew chief and airplane and engine mechanic from September 18, 1942 until February 8, 1946. He was honorably discharged as a Staff Sergeant and was the recipient of the American Service Medal, World War II Victory Medal and Atlantic-Pacific Medal.
Seventy-four years ago, he married Evelyn (nee Hammel) in Emanuel Lutheran Church and together they made their home in Mattituck.
Steve enjoyed a long career in truck sales with O’Keefe Chevrolet, Kinney Chevrolet Olds and Apple Chevrolet from 1951 to 1986. He retired as a truck sales manager.
In the community, Steve was a member of the Mattituck Fire Department, Mattituck Lions Club and North Fork Country Club. He had also been a Little League Manager of North Fork Stars League.
Predeceased by two sisters, Julia Romans and Anna Hartnagel, he is survived by his wife Evelyn, a son and daughter-in-law, Paul and Judy Duke of Charleston, South Carolina, two grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.
Religious services were held on Friday, June 17 at the DeFriest-Grattan Funeral Home in Mattituck by Caren Heacock, Pastoral Assistant of the Mattituck Presbyterian Church. Interment, with United States Army honors, followed at Laurel Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, donations to East End Hospice would be appreciated.