Alfie Duffin of Mile Cross Obituary, Death: Salvationist, Mentor, and Co-Founder of the S.A Mile Cross Youth Club

On June 2, 2025, the Mile Cross community bid a deeply heartfelt farewell to one of its most beloved figures, Alfie Duffin, who was promoted to glory at the age of 84. A lifelong member of the Mile Cross Salvation Army Corps, Alfie was far more than a congregant or volunteer—he was a pillar of compassion, a steward of youth empowerment, and a musical mentor whose influence spanned generations. His passing marks the end of a chapter in the life of the corps, but his legacy is one that continues to resonate through every note played, every life uplifted, and every act of service carried out in his honor.

Born in the mid-20th century, Alfie Duffin’s life paralleled the rise of community-led outreach and music ministry within The Salvation Army. As a devout Salvationist, Alfie didn’t just attend church; he embodied the spirit of its mission. His faith was action-oriented, rooted in the conviction that true Christian service meant standing shoulder to shoulder with the vulnerable, investing time in the young, and using whatever gifts one had—be it musical, spiritual, or practical—for the greater good.

For those who knew him personally, Alfie was a man of great humility and steady purpose. His quiet smile and ever-present warmth made him a calming presence within the Corps. But beneath his gentleness was a steadfast drive to ensure that no child or young adult in Mile Cross felt unseen or unsupported. That sense of responsibility would lead him to co-found one of the area’s most enduring initiatives: the S.A Mile Cross Youth Club.

The Youth Club was more than just an after-school gathering—it was a sanctuary for young people in search of guidance, friendship, and direction. Alfie believed that music, structure, and belonging could transform lives. Under his stewardship, the club became a foundational part of the local Salvation Army’s outreach. Generations of children found not only a safe space, but mentorship, encouragement, and sometimes even their life’s first opportunity to perform publicly through music programs that Alfie helped lead.

Indeed, music was one of Alfie’s greatest tools and passions. His deep involvement in the brass band ministry gave young members a way to express themselves, gain confidence, and feel part of something larger than themselves. To many of the youth, Alfie was the first person who told them they had potential, the first adult who invested consistent time in their development—not just as musicians, but as people.

As news of his promotion to glory spread, tributes poured in from former club members, fellow Salvationists, and community leaders, all echoing a shared sentiment: Alfie Duffin changed lives. His impact was felt not in dramatic gestures, but in the daily, unheralded consistency of care—checking in on a struggling teenager, offering a ride to band practice, staying late to tidy up after youth night, and always being a living reminder of Christian service at its most tangible.

The Salvation Army’s emphasis on both spiritual nourishment and social support was perfectly mirrored in Alfie’s life. He championed outreach programs that combined scripture with action. In later years, even as his pace slowed, his enthusiasm for the Youth Club and its evolving mission remained undiminished. He became a living archive of its history and a treasured source of encouragement to those carrying the baton forward.

To honor his memory, Alfie’s family and the Mile Cross Salvation Army Corps have invited those who were touched by his life to make donations to The Salvation Army. This request speaks volumes about who he was—a man who would rather see his name serve as a vessel for further service than as a monument. The funds raised will likely go toward continuing the work he began—perhaps ensuring a new generation has access to instruments, mentorship, or safe gathering spaces.

His absence will be most profoundly felt not just at the Corps on Sunday mornings, but at the Youth Club during weeknights, and in the silence where once a brass note rang out under his conducting hand. Yet in the best traditions of the Army he loved, Alfie Duffin’s life is not merely something to be mourned—it is something to be emulated.

To walk in his footsteps is to love people deeply, serve them faithfully, and never underestimate the transformative power of a listening ear and a shared melody. In that way, Alfie’s work is far from done.