Steve Duke

Steve Duke of Mattituck died June 14, 2016, at Southampton Hospital at the age of 95.

He was born in Mattituck Dec. 3, 1920, to Michael and Karen Duke and was baptized Roman Catholic on Jan. 8, 1921, at Sacred Heart R.C. Church in Cutchogue.

In 1940, he graduated from Mattituck High School and then served in the U.S. Army Air Force from Sept. 18, 1942 until Feb. 8, 1946 as an airplane crew chief and airplane and engine mechanic He was honorably discharged as a staff sergeant and was the recipient of the American Service, World War II Victory and Atlantic-Pacific medals.

He married Evelyn (née Hammel) 74 years ago at Emanuel Lutheran Church and together they made their home in Mattituck.

Steve enjoyed a long career in truck sales from 1951 to 1986 with O’Keefe Chevrolet, Kinney Chevrolet Olds and Apple Chevrolet. He retired as truck sales manager.

In the community, Steve was a member of Mattituck Fire Department, Mattituck Lions Club and North Fork Country Club. He had also been a Little League manager with the North Fork Stars League.

He is survived by his wife, Evelyn; a son and daughter-in-law, Paul and Judy Duke of Charleston, S.C.; two grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. He was predeceased by two sisters, Julia Romans and Anna Hartnagel.

Religious services were held June 17 at DeFriest-Grattan Funeral Home in Mattituck, officiated by Caren Heacock, pastoral assistant for Mattituck Presbyterian Church. Interment, with U.S. Army honors followed at Laurel Cemetery.