Dukagjin "Duke" Kerxhalli

HOLDEN - Dukagjin “Duke” Kerxhalli, 93, passed away peacefully, surrounded by his family on November 14. He leaves his sweetheart and loving wife, Helen (Joseph) of more than 66 years, daughter Deborah, (Creedon) her husband Paul, sons Jim and Tom, 7 grandchildren, 4 great-grandchildren, and brothers Steven and George. He was predeceased by brothers Mentor, Kastrioti, and Michael, and sisters Resha (Chekani) and Lily.
Born to Albanian immigrants Thanas and Olga (Laska) Kerxhalli, he spent his early years on a family farm in Oxford, MA, then later in Worcester. Legend has it that Duke was a bit of a “freshy” when he was little, which was evidenced to the very end by the devilish smile that he was famous for.

Duke attended Worcester Boy’s Trade School, enrolled in the electrician’s program. Before graduating, he was drafted into the army and shipped off to the Philippines during WWII. Upon his return, he established Duke’s Electrical Company, Inc. It was during this time that he met the love of his life, Helen, at a church picnic.

The family resided in Holden where they would spend the next 55 years. Duke established himself as a highly respected master electrician with an impressive resume of commercial and industrial clients. Jim and Tom worked for Duke many times and marveled at how his clients treated him like a celebrity. His skills went far beyond the electrical trade. In a different time, he could have been a mechanical or electrical engineer.
After joining the Freemasons in 1958, Duke attained the 32nd degree and became the master of Montacute Lodge in 1981. He enjoyed the brotherhood and friendships that it fostered.

Following 40+ years in the electrical business, Duke enjoyed a long retirement with Helen, travelling often to the Caribbean and Aruba, their favorite. Duke spent countless hours tinkering in his workshop, reading, and developing many devious methods to keep squirrels out of his bird feeders. He was famous for his ridiculous “Rube Goldberg” inventions, several of which have become legendary.

His grandchildren were his pride and joy, and Duke had an abundance of time to enjoy being their “Grampy.”

Duke was a humble, kind, and most of all, a gentle man. He never had a bad thing to say about anyone, (except certain politicians) and never let life hold him back. These are the qualities he’ll be remembered most for, and what we all hope to inherit from him. He wanted us all to “appreciate”. That was his favorite word and he lived by it. He will be sorely missed, but never forgotten.

Relatives and friends are invited to visit with Duke's family at the Miles Funeral Home, 1158 Main Street, Holden on Friday, November 22 from 10am until 12:00 pm. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the VNA Hospice, 120 Thomas St, Worcester, MA 01608 or Amylodosis Research Consortium, 320 Nevada St. Newton, MA 02460.

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