Horace McDuffie Jr. November 30, 1933 – January 18, 2025

Services will be conducted Saturday February 1, 2025. Visitation 11am Celebration will follow at 12Noon at Friendship Baptist Church, 402 Clinton Street, Buffalo, NY. Reverend Edward Jackson, Jr. The interment is at St. Matthew's Cemetery, West Seneca, New York.

Horace McDuffie Jr.

Horace McDuffie Jr. was born in Three Creeks, Arkansas, the youngest of three children of Urseline and Horace Sr. His early years were filled with adventures through the woods alongside his sisters, Rose and Josie Mae. He later learned to hunt and fish under the guidance of his father. Horace cherished after-church picnics, where he would "run the gauntlet" of his many adoring aunts, all eager to shower him with kisses and affection.

After his family relocated to Kansas City, Missouri, Horace moved to Buffalo, New York, to join his older sister, Rose. He attended Emerson Vocational.

High School, where he befriended the Austin brothers—Sam, Harvey, and John—who would introduce him to their cousin, Fannie. Upon learning that Fannie would be attending Hutchinson Central High School, Horace transferred to Hutch to be with her, and the two quickly became inseparable. They married soon after graduation, sharing 61 years of love and partnership and raising three children: Michael, Cheryl, and David.

During the Korean War, Horace served in the U.S. Army and was stationed "on standby" in Germany. He later recounted stories of enduring guard duty in 30-below temperatures. Upon his discharge, he began working for General Motors at the Chevrolet Foundry in Tonawanda, New York.

At GM, Horace became a dedicated member of the United Auto Workers Local 1173, where he learned the intricacies of union contracts and politics under the mentorship of union organizer Manny Tabachnik. His leadership and passion led him to be elected as the youngest union president in the United States. During his tenure, he played a pivotal role in establishing the Vul-Ton Federal Credit Union to serve the financial needs of union members. Horace retired from General Motors with 51 years of dedicated service.

Beyond his work in labor unions, Horace was actively involved in the Civil Rights Movement. He met and collaborated with influential figures such as Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Harry Belafonte, Ossie Davis, and Ruby Dee. In 1963, he attended the historic March on Washington. His commitment to community service extended to local politics, where he was elected to several positions. A deeply spiritual man, Horace was a 32nd-degree Freemason. He also mentored youth as a Sunday school teacher and youth minister at Mt. Ararat Baptist Church.

Horace was predeceased by his beloved wife, Fannie, and their son, David. He leaves behind his children, Michael (Debbie) and Cheryl; his grandsons, Alex and Aaron; and his great-grandson, Jonah, of whom he was exceedingly proud. He will also be dearly missed by a host of nieces, nephews, and cousins from across the country.