Religious studies professor Father Stephen Duffy, a fixture in Loyola classrooms for 26 years, died Friday morning after a battle with cancer. He was 76.

Father David Boileau, philosophy professor and a friend of Duffy, said that about a week ago, Duffy went to Tulane University Hospital to undergo chemotherapy.

Boileau said Duffy knew he was not in good health and began preparing for whatever the outcome of the procedure might be.

“He knew what was happening. He got all his papers and work in order,” Boileau said.

Duffy was a well-known theologian both at Loyola and abroad, having served as a visiting professor at Trinity College in Dublin and a visiting scholar at Trinity College. In 1999 Loyola named him the recipient of the Dux Academicus award, the highest honor a professor can received at Loyola for teaching and scholarship.

“He was a first-class theologian,” Boileau said.

Duffy taught at Loyola since 1971 and served as chairman of the Religious Studies department for 13 years. He was a professor and the director of graduate studies at the time of his death.

A memorial mass is scheduled for Saturday, April 14, at 11:00a.m. at Holy Name of Jesus Church.

Daniel Monteverde can be reached at [email protected].