Kerry Duke, 72, of Melbourne Beach, Fl, passed away on 11/12/2021. Kerry grew up in Ocean Grove, New Jersey, and enjoyed playing football, baseball and basketball in his youth. He grew his love of sports at Neptune High School, where he excelled as an athlete and was a fierce defender (#15) for the Scarlet Fliers basketball team. As a young man, Kerry served as an Ocean Grove Lifeguard and was known for both his love of rowing and (many) elaborate pranks. In 1972, Kerry joined the Neptune Police Department, where he served for 26 years. Proudly wearing badge #106, he was well respected by his fellow officers and mentored many rookies along the way. Kerry had a lasting impact on the community in which he served and, in 2005, he retired as a Lieutenant. Not a fan of the cold Jersey winters, he then moved to Florida to join his daughters, Michelle and Colette. Kerry was unendingly proud of his daughters and always did everything he could to support them. In 2015, he very gratefully received a heart transplant and this gift renewed his passion for living every day to the absolute fullest. “Duke” was, truly, a force of nature and was known by all for his strong sense of humor, unique fashion sense and love of all dogs. In his Melbourne Beach community, he was referred to as the “biggest badass in Beachwoods”, but is remembered for being a caring neighbor and friend to many. Kerry was predeceased by his mother, Dorothy Stockdale; step-father, William (Barry) Stockdale; father, Roy F. Duke; step-mother, Barbara Duke; sister, Linda Warren (m. Kenneth); aunts, Ruth Schanck (m. Bob), Shirley Hunt (m. Bruce); uncle, Allen Duke (m. Sandy) nieces, Cynthia Warren and Kimberly Warren; and nephew, Trevor (TJ) Stockdale. He is survived and remembered with love by his daughters, Michelle Voll (m. Chris) and Colette Duke; brothers, Daniel Stockdale (m. Wendy), Roy Duke (m. Tammy) and Tom Duke; nephews and niece, Matthew Warren (m. Jessica), Gary Warren and Casie Stockdale; paternal cousins, Gail Duke Pratt and Ellen Duke Spears (Kevin); maternal cousins, who will forever cherish him as “Cuz Man”, Carolann (Caci) Garau, Rich Schanck, Jeff Hunt (m. Brenda), Bruce Hunt, Kevin Hunt and Greg Hunt; and his “adopted” children, Milena and Joe Potoczny. His chocolate lab, Max, is now living his next best life with his dog-cousins in Colts Neck, NJ. Celebrations of life will be planned in FL and NJ for 2022. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Kerry's name to an animal rescue organization of your choice or a contribution to the Duke Memorial Scholarship Fund (click the "Give" tab on this website for more info.).