Alonzo Frank Duff

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Alonzo Frank Duff Jr. was born on January 13, 1948, at the original Staten Island Hospital to Alonzo “LD” Duff Sr. and Muriel (Jenkins) Duff, as their only son. 
After his parents separated, Alonzo moved with his mother to Brooklyn, where they lived in a brownstone. As an only child, he was often surrounded by adults, which he said made him naturally inquisitive—always asking questions and observing the world around him. Growing up, his mother affectionately called him “Puda,” a nickname that followed him into adulthood until it was humorously retired at the Jenkins Family Reunion in 1996.
During his youth, Alonzo was greatly influenced by all of his Aunts who helped raise him. His maternal grandfather worked in Connecticut and returned home once a month, and during those visits, Alonzo accompanied him to Stapleton UAME Church. As a child, he also played in the Salvation Army band alongside his cousin Douglas.
Alonzo developed a love for sports and paddleball playing in Mariners Harbor. Around the age of fourteen, he began caddying at the Richmond County Country Club, earning money while learning discipline and independence at a young age.
During his teenage years, Al and his close friend Jasper frequently traveled to Brooklyn to enjoy the vibrant music scene. They often attended live shows, even seeing a young Stevie Wonder perform when Stevie was only twelve years old. On Wednesdays, they would stop for a $1.79 steak dinner at Tad’s Steakhouse—complete with a baked potato—before heading to the Apollo Theater. If the line was long, Al knew how to get in quickly by slipping the doorman five dollars to catch legendary performers like James Brown.
Alonzo attended Boys High School in Brooklyn, where he was a member of the track team and graduated in 1966. During his junior year, he participated in a Co-Op program to help support himself financially while completing his studies.
Shortly after graduating, he married his childhood sweetheart, Sharon Liburd, and together they welcomed two daughters, Michele and Daneen. His own experience as a high school track athlete later inspired him to coach his daughters’ youth track team, known as the Staten Island Jets.
In 1969, he proudly purchased his first brand-new Pontiac with the long antenna while living in the Markham Homes on Wayne Court. Even at a young age, Alonzo demonstrated an entrepreneurial mindset, purchasing his first investment property in the Poconos for $5,000 at just nineteen years old. He was always known for thinking bigger and moving differently than many of his peers—often ahead of his time.
Alonzo also took pride in his fashion. In the 1960s, he was known for dressing sharply—wearing silk hats, half gators, and lizard shoes when going out. Later in life, Kangol hats became his signature look, stemming from the style culture of the 1980s.
Early in his career, Alonzo worked at the Equitable Life Insurance Company. After undergoing major open-heart surgery in 1971 to repair a leaking valve. 
For many years, he played weekly card games—often pinochle—with a close-knit group of friends, including a man known as Mr. Broadway, who worked in a leadership role at Procter & Gamble, overseeing hiring decisions. Through years of friendship and camaraderie at the card table, the relationship eventually opened the door for Alonzo to join the company. The card games became a standing tradition among his inner circle; even when the power went out, the games continued, with candles or flashlights providing just enough light to keep the cards on the table. He later began what would become a long and stable career at Procter & Gamble, where he worked for 32 years.
Alonzo eventually purchased a home on South Avenue, where he raised his family. Always an early adopter of new technology, they were among the first families in the neighborhood to install a satellite dish, allowing him to watch games on two stacked 25-inch televisions.
Music was always part of the atmosphere in his home, from the Markham Homes to South Avenue. He proudly owned one of the first reel-to-reel systems in the neighborhood, playing artists such as The O’Jays, Funkadelic, Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell, and The Marvelettes, celebrating the sounds of Motown and soul.
In his early twenties, Alonzo began his journey into basketball coaching under the mentorship of the late Dwayne “Chops” Derrick Lawrence, founder of the Bradley Bombers (also known as the Markham Five). Under Chops’ guidance, Alonzo learned the art of coaching and mentorship. He later went on to lead his own team, known as the Bachelors, alongside Coach Dave. The Bachelors, based in West Brighton, became widely respected and eventually made it to Madison Square Garden as Citywide Champions—putting Staten Island basketball on the map.
While he coached his players to be competitive on the court, Alonzo cared even more about preparing them for the game of life. Many of his players went on to attend college, become professionals, and raise families of their own. His daughters, Michele and Daneen, often rode to games squeezed into the car with the team, proudly cheering them on.
Beyond basketball, Alonzo was a hustler in every sense of the word—someone who understood opportunity and strategy. He believed money was simply a tool and that learning how to use it wisely was the key to financial freedom. He often reminded others that if you started the week with fifty dollars, you should still have something left at the end. He emphasized living below one’s means and famously described buying a home as “a for savings account.” He strongly emphasized the importance of owning rather than renting.
Over the years, he explored many entrepreneurial ventures. He owned Coach D Contracting Company, ran a Newsday paper route where he gave opportunities to others in the community, and sold newspapers. He also became a landlord and real estate investor, continuously working to build assets and create opportunities.
Anyone who knew Alonzo knew he was proudly pro-Black and deeply committed to uplifting his community. He was steadfast in defining and pursuing the American dream as a Black man raising a family on Staten Island. While he never formally joined the Nation of Islam, he closely followed and respected the teachings of Malcolm X and the principle of (Kujichagulia) self-determination.
Alonzo remained deeply committed to community service. He was an active member of Staten Island Black Heritage and co-founded Brothers of Peace, a nonprofit organization that raised scholarship funds for local students pursuing higher education alongside John “Woody” Woodson and Gregory Taylor. His dedication to uplifting others earned him numerous recognitions, including the NAACP Humanitarian Award in 2016.
One of the most meaningful experiences of his life came in 1991, when he traveled to Africa on an educational tour led by Dr. Yosef Ben-Jochannan (“Dr. Ben”) and Dr. John Henrik Clarke, influential Pan-Africanist scholars. During the journey, he helped bring school supplies to children in villages throughout the Nile Valley in Egypt while exploring the rich history of Kemet, ancient Egypt. In 1995, he also attended the historic Million Man March in Washington, D.C., responding to the call issued by Minister Louis Farrakhan.
Later in life, Alonzo met and married Margaret Joe, and together they welcomed twin daughters, Akeema and Shaquiella Duff. Early in their relationship, the couple began selling fruits from a fruit stand. It became so popular that they expanded from selling at Mahoney Park to preparing a full weekend menu from their home, quickly gaining a reputation for selling out.
After retiring from Procter & Gamble, Alonzo embraced what he often described as his favorite role—being a full-time father. He handled school drop-offs, pick-ups, and parent-teacher conferences, earning what could easily be described as a “perfect attendance” record as a parent. Education was extremely important to him, and he made it clear to his daughters from the age of six that graduating from college was not only possible but expected. Years later, he was able to witness that vision become a reality.
Alonzo was a basketball fanatic and a Lakers fan. In the summer, he could often be found attending legendary streetball tournaments at Rucker Park, Dyckman Park, and Gersh Park—sitting proudly in the “40 Plus” section.
Al was always a fan of soap operas, and in retirement, he rarely missed episodes of All My Children, The Haves and the Have Nots, or Greenleaf. Wednesday nights were reserved for his shows—Queen Sugar and Sistas—and if you happened to call during that time, you would likely have to wait until the episode ended before he returned your call. Even during his final coherent days in the hospital, he was still watching his newest favorite soap opera, Beyond the Gates.
To many, he was Coach D, to others Al, Lonze, or Poppy, and after a life devoted to family, community, mentorship, and purpose, Alonzo’s legacy lives on in the many lives he touched. Alonzo Frank Duff Jr. lived a life defined by resilience, vision, and an unwavering commitment to his family and community. Whether as a husband, father, coach, mentor, entrepreneur, or friend, he believed deeply in lifting others as he climbed and sharing knowledge that would empower the next generation. His lessons about discipline, education, financial wisdom, and pride in one’s heritage will continue to guide the many lives he influenced. Though he may be gone from our sight, his legacy lives on in the family he loved, the community he served, and the countless lives he helped shape.
Alonzo Frank Duff Jr. was preceded in death by his mother, Muriel, and his stepfather, Johnny.
He leaves to cherish his loving memory his devoted wife, Margaret Joe-Duff; his children, Michele Philips (Kenneth), Daneen Duff, Akeema Duff, and Shaquiella Duff; his stepdaughter, Natcha Joe; his maternal uncle, Raymond Jenkins (Barbara), and his paternal aunt, Eloise Hiller; his mother-in-love, Nini Joe; his sister-in-love, Micheline Daniel; and his brothers-in-love, Mikey Daniel and Junie Daniel.
To his grandchildren and godchildren, he was affectionately known as Poppy. Though their grandfather by title, he loved, guided, and raised them with the heart and responsibility of a father: Takiya Dukes, Nicole Philips, Nychele Blackmon (Chris), Jessiah Skyers, Dah-Vincio Joe, and Ava Williams.
His legacy continues through his cherished great-grandchildren: Naseem Rogers, Laquan Benson, Tyson Santos, Aniya Benson, Amere Benson, Jayden Blackmon, Cameron Blackmon, and Elijah Blackmon; and his great-great-grandchildren: Londyn Rogers, Jaseem Rogers, and Layani Rogers.
He is also lovingly remembered by his godchildren, Andrell Spellman and Jamie Spellman, along with a host of cousins, life-long friends Gregory Taylor, Billy (Jasper) Williams, former players, friends, neighbors, and community members whose lives he touched throughout the years.

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