Gerard Paul Duffy remembered by Bundaberg community

Serving Bundaberg locals for decades, Gerard ‘Paul’ Duffy died at the age of 77. His friends, family and the Bundaberg community have paid tribute to a man who was driven to deliver the best bus service in town. Read what they had to say:

From school drop-offs to trips into town, Gerard ‘Paul’ Duffy had a passion for serving the community as the owner of Duffy’s City Buses. Mr Duffy passed away on February 27, 2022.

From school drop-offs to trips into town, Gerard ‘Paul’ Duffy had a passion for serving the community as the owner of Duffy’s City Buses.

His grandfather Tom Duffy started the business in 1954.

When his grandfather died, Mr Duffy took the business over with his brothers, before buying it outright with his wife Lyn in 1981.

After his passing on Sunday, the community has paid tribute to a man who left his mark on Bundaberg.

His son Chris Duffy described his father as a “passionate Bundabergian” who was involved in the business until the day he died.

“Buses were in his blood,” Mr (Chris) Duffy said.

“He loved servicing the people of Bundaberg... he just wanted to deliver the best bus services that he could for the area.

“He was a quiet man, he didn’t make a fuss, but what people are saying at the moment is really touching.”

Paul Duffy and his wife Lyn at Duffy's City Buses Bundaberg.

Mr Duffy was also a life member at the Bundaberg Surf Life Saving Club.

A friend of more than 60 years, Allan Teasdale, 77, said Mr Duffy was a generous man.

“He was dedicated to his family and dedicated to his business,” Mr Teasdale said.

“He was also very generous of sporting organisations throughout the town, providing in some cases free bus trips for people and discounted bus trips for others.”

He and Mr Duffy competed together in the March Past, an iconic event within the surf club, from 1965 to 1993.

Danny Carswell also knew Mr Duffy through the surf club, competing in March Past events together for over 20 years.

He said Mr Duffy was also part of the committee that organised the Bundaberg Summertime Surf Girl competition.

“He was a loyal team member, he was an expert at his trade,” Mr Carswell said.

Meredith Cobb paid tribute to Mr Duffy, describing him as a lovely man.

“I often used to serve him and Lyn at a local restaurant I worked at,” she said.

Mitch Pukallus added Mr Duffy’s death marked the “end of an era”.

“The more people Bundaberg has like Paul Duffy, the better off we would be,” he said.

Mr Duffy has three children, Chris, Karen and Cameron.

He passed away peacefully in Bundaberg on February 27, 2022, at the age of 77.