Philip John Duke 88, of Hillsboro NH passed peacefully at home on March 24, 2026. He was his unique self until the very end, sharing his sharp mind and sense of humor with all. He was a lover of trains, music, cats, storytelling, machines, horses, shiny boots, tools, frogs, drawing, owls, building stuff, black hats, bad jokes, his family, and so much more.

Born in Sheffield, England on May 1, 1937, he was the only child of Maurice and Elsie (Barker) Duke. He grew up in nearby Rotherham and shared many stories of his childhood in the war, sleeping in bomb shelters and riding steam locomotives at the steel plant where his grandfather worked. Descended from several generations of blacksmiths and materials engineers, he earned a PhD in glass engineering from Sheffield University in 1963. A brilliant and creative design engineer who could build or fix anything, his dream was to come to the US and be a cowboy. His opportunity came at age 26, when Sprague Electric recruited him to come work in North Adams, MA. He immediately bought a horse and a black western hat.

Phil met his first wife, Caroline Duke (nee Nielsen), at Sprague - they moved to New Boston, NH, where they had 2 daughters. Phil made many friends and was well known in town - he performed with the New Boston Players, ran the legendary haunted house at the town hall, built floats for the 4th of July parades with his neighbors on Joe English and McCurdy roads, and often appeared at parties as his alter-ego Morgana. He also played guitar and banjo, and wrote his own songs - he was never happier than when he was making music with friends, or singing his kids to sleep.

Later in life he met his second wife, Sha (aka Holly/Hollis) Duke (nee Aldrin). They were true kindred spirits, walking to the beat of their own drums. Eventually moving to Hillsborough, NH, they spent 36 loving years together. Sha passed away at home in November 2023, after Phil cared for her through several years of serious illness.

Phil also worked at Frederickseal and Sealtech in Manchester. In his retirement, Phil loved playing at open mics, singing songs about his life as well as old English, Irish, and Scottish tunes from his childhood.

He was loved and will be greatly missed by daughters Mandy Vara and Darcy Duke, son-in-laws Cecil Vara and Ryan Evans, granddaughter Casi Vara and partner Leevi Fergueson, and newly-born great-granddaughter Ruby Rose.

A private celebration of life will be held with family and friends on Saturday, May 23, 2-4pm - email ekud1937@gmail.com for information. Donations can be made in Phil’s memory to the Northern Nevada Railroad