Caroline Bertucci Duncan

Caroline Bertucci Duncan, age 93, died peacefully Sunday, Dec. 18, 2011 at her home in Gulfport surrounded by family. Born Jan. 20, 1918 to Salvador Joseph Bertucci and Bernice Catchot Bertucci, she attended Gulfport Public Schools. Caroline worked in and holds interest in all of her family’s business operations, beginning as a cashier at her father’s The Splendid Cafe’ & Hotel, where her family lived in downtown Gulfport during the 1930’s. She later worked with her father in helping to create S.J. Bertucci & Co. and acquired interest in the business, which currently operates as FEB Distributing Co., Inc. Gulfport. In addition, Caroline holds interest in Capital City Beverages, Inc., of Jackson and Greenwood, MS. Caroline’s past business endeavors included working with her husband whom she married on Dec. 7, 1941, G. Ralph Duncan, Sr., who owned and operated Ralph Duncan’s San Beach Steak Inn; as well as, holding interest in Bertucci Realty Co., which included San Beach Trailer Town, The Merry Mansion and various property holdings. Her additional interests included Travel Motor Inn located in Pascagoula, Ms, Gulf Amusement Co., and Gulf Vending Co. in Gulfport. Caroline was active in numerous Mardi Gras associations and reigned as Queen of BPOE Elks #978 Carnival Assoc. and Queen of Les Danseuse Carnival Assoc. Caroline’s memberships include: The Great Southern Club, Hibernia Marching Society, & BPO Elks Auxilary #978 Lifetime Member. She was preceded in death by her husband, G. Ralph Duncan, Sr; mother, Bernice Catchot Bertucci; father, Salvador Joseph Bertucci; Brothers; Frank Emanuel Bertucci & Salvador “Jr” J. Bertucci Jr; Sisters: Bernice “Sis” Ingrassia & Dorothy “Dot” Drennan Peck. Caroline is survived by her 3 children, Carole (Bill) Pickering, Picayune, G. Ralph Duncan, Jr, Gulfport, and Dorothy (John) Ouille’, Gulfport. 3 grandchildren and 5 great grandchildren and her little dog Brandi. Her interests included reading, gardening, sewing, dancing, and she was an avid Saints fan. Visitation will be Thursday evening from 5 until 8:00 p.m. at Bradford-O’Keefe Funeral Home, 15th Street, Gulfport. The funeral service will be Friday, December 23, 2011 at 1:00 p.m. in the funeral home chapel. Interment will follow at Floral Hills Memorial Gardens in Gulfport. View and sign register book at www.bradfordokeefe.com