Earth
memorial

W.J. Duke Dufresne

April 13, 1949 - Oct. 20, 2023

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WJ Duke Dufresne, known to many as ‘Bill’, passed away peacefully at his home in Sacramento, CA on October 20, 2023, surrounded by his loving family. Duke/Billy was born in Derby, CT to parents Francis J. Dufresne and Louise (Houghton) Dufresne on April 13, 1949. He grew up in Ansonia (Class of ’67) and went on to study Liberal Arts at Bates College in Maine. He earned a B.A. in Biology from UMass Boston, an M.D. in Medicine from Tufts University School of Medicine, and completed his residency at St. Clare’s Residency Program, now Ellis Hospital Family Medicine Residency in Schenectady, NY. Duke began his medical career in Kentucky in public health, serving underserved communities, and eventually settled in Upstate New York. During his short stint at Bates, Duke met the love of his life, Elizabeth ‘Betty’ Ireland, and married on September 19, 1970 at the Temple in Ocean Park, Maine. OP continues to hold a special place in the hearts of Duke’s family. Duke and Betty recently celebrated 53 years of adventurous marriage. Duke is survived by Betty and their three adoring children: Ben, Dylan, and Zachary. He was predeceased by his much loved brother, Robbie Dufresne. Duke was ever proud of his children and

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Leave the earth with beauty

Earth specializes in soil transformation, an environmentally-friendly alternative to burial and cremation. Over a 45-day process, we gently transform a body into nutrient-rich soil. We then send this soil to our local conservation land where it’s used for restoration projects such as reforestation and nourishing challenged ecosystems.

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