Paul F. Durkin

Paul F. Durkin Sacred Heart Parishioner LOWELL Paul Francis Durkin, a member of a well known Lowell family, died Saturday, August 16, 2008, at the Sawtelle Family Hospice House in Reading, after a long struggle with lung cancer, although he never smoked. He was 88 years old. A lifelong resident of Lowell, he was a son of the late James and Margaret (Daly) Durkin. He graduated from Sacred Heart School in 1934 and from Keith Academy in 1938. Paul was an outstanding baseball pitcher at Keith and, at only 15, was the starting pitcher for the Lowell Post 87 American Legion team in the 1936 National Championship Tournament in Middletown, Ohio. After graduating from Keith, he played for several teams in the Greater Lowell area. Mr. Durkin entered the United States Army in 1942 and served in the China-Burma-India Theater of Operations during WWII. After the war, he returned to Lowell and married Constance Howard, whom he had met when they were performing as dance partners in a Sacred Heart show. Mr. Durkin was an active member of the Sacred Heart Band Booster Club, regularly chaperoning the band's annual appearance in the New York City St. Patrick's Day Parade. He was a member of the Keith Academy Men's Club, the Holy Name Society, the St. Vincent de Paul Society, and was a Eucharistic Minister. Mr. Durkin worked as a salesman for the Andreoli Company and later for Notini Brothers until his retirement in 1987. He was devoted to his family and, when they were young, could often be seen pushing his grandchildren in their carriages through Acton and Nashua. Halloween was one of his favorite holidays, and he loved taking his grandkids trick-or-treating, often dressing up himself. He was there for every ball game, every band concert, and every play. He enjoyed scrap-booking, and following the Red Sox. He remained active, even as he aged, walking, doing yard work, and ice skating well into his seventies. He was the beloved husband for 60 years of Constance (Howard) Durkin; and the devoted father of Connie Baskin and her husband, David of Acton, and P. Michael Durkin and his wife, Karen (McMahon) of Nashua. He was also the loving grandfather of Kara Baskin and her husband, Brian Lapseritis of Arlington, Matthew Baskin of Acton, and Meghan Durkin of Nashua. Mr. Durkin is also survived by his sister, Dorothy Durkin of Lowell; and by his brothers, James Durkin and his wife, Frances (Dunn) of Chelmsford, John Durkin, husband of the late Mary (Hickey), of Lowell, Brendan Durkin and his wife, Claire (Neylon) of Lowell; his sisters-in-law, Phyllis (Shea) of Lowell, the wife of his late brother, Gerald, and Mary (Howard) Fennessy of North Andover. Mr. Durkin was predeceased by his brothers and sisters-in-law, Edward Durkin, Gerald Durkin, Walter Durkin, Rosanne (Cox), Harold and Frances (Ryan) and K. Doris (Howard) Sullivan. Mr. Durkin also leaves many nieces and nephews. DURKIN In Reading, August 16, 2008 at the Sawtelle Hospice House. Paul F. Durkin, 88, beloved husband of Constance C. (Howard) Durkin. Friends may call at the FAY McCABE FUNERAL HOME, 105 MOORE STREET, LOWELL on TUESDAY from 4 until 8 P.M. Funeral WEDNESDAY morning at 8 A.M. from the Funeral Home, followed by a Funeral Mass at 9:30 A.M. at ST. MARGARET'S CHURCH, STEVENS STREET, LOWELL. Burial in St. Patrick Cemetery. As an expression of sympathy, donations in Paul's memory may be made to the D'Youville Foundation, 981 Varnum Avenue, Lowell, MA 01854. ARRANGEMENTS BY FAY McCABE FUNERAL DIRECTORS, 978-459-9222.