Patrick J. Durkin

Patrick Durkin devoted his life to saftey and education. He was my boss as i was the facility manager at goudy elemebtary. I oversaw and supervised his school he loved. His book "Making Schools work" by Patrick Durkin was kept in his desk drawer. He saved children from burning buildings. Went back in- and was severly injured. His right hand only had three fingers. When he told me he had multiple myaloma cancer and that he had to retire early i cried that night. He was so very sick and...

I graduated from goudy in 97 and in the years that I was there Mr Durkin and myself developed a little bit of a bond and the reason was because I would get sent to the principal office almost on a regular basis, it got to the point where I would bring my class work with me and do it in his office, Mr Durkin always looked for the best in people and definitely always handed out second chances. I had the up most respect for Mr Durkin and I'll surely always remember him... #So many Great...

I was reading my NEUI magazine and Mr. Durkin's name was in the, In Memoriam section. I have to say my heart sank.

I had the priviledge of teaching under Mr. Durkin for 2 years. I have since taught under 3 principals and none of which even come close to being the kind of principal he was. I would have taught under him for free. He was the father figure for so many children and he gave them hope and something to look forward to in their life. Many of these childern have sucess...

I have known mr.Durkin for 4 years and i hane to say those have been the best four years of my entire life he was the best man i have ever known he loved helping the kids at goudy and always i mean always hardly never yelled at a kid.
I Love you Mr.Durkin

February 2005
Dear Mr. Durkin,
I wish you would come some day and we will miss you very much. I like the school and the time. I wish you would have a good life. I hope you would have a good retirement. Thank you for the school and the work we do. And my whole family would miss you very much when you retire. And we'll miss and miss you very much. And I hope you will be feeling much better when you retire. I'll miss you. You were a good principal to all my friends. Goodbye.
...

February 2005
This is a letter to my principal, Mr. Durkin. I don't want you to leave school. If you leave I'm going to mist you. I wish you wouldn't never retire. You were the best principal I've ever seen. I remember when I was in kinder that I didn't know who you were. Everyone is going to mist you. You've been a good principal. I'm in fourth grade with Ms. Estrada. Thank you for being a good principal.
Sincerely,
Marco, fourth grader at Goudy

February 2005
Dar. Mr. Durkin,
I have had a good time at Goudy. I hope you have a great time with your family. We all love you at Goudy. You are my favoritest principal in the world. Be safe when you leave.
Shonesha, fourth grader at Goudy