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Patrick Durkin Obituary
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Memories and Condolences
for Patrick Durkin
Sponsored by The Durkin Family.
Ronald Angell
May 24, 2025
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 still he went to work. He slept on a cot in the school before a snowstorm so he would be the first person at the school. I made sure to do everything that he needed done at goudy. The sculpture of the mascot was done by the late mr carney. When mr durkin retired and left a huge void in chicago could be felt throughout the city. He was a policeman first. The day that the pre kintergarden was demolished mr durkin stood on top of that debris pile and wanted so much to save that building- but was told the addition on goudy replaced it.
tim spann
April 18, 2020
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 Memories R.I.P MR DURKIN
Devoted Husband and Father ~ You will always be with us!
May 25, 2006
1John3:1
May 22, 2006
Lisa Browning
February 10, 2006
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 stories due in part to him.
My deepest condolences go out the the enire Durkin family. He was one of the greatest human beings I've ever had the priviledge of knowing and working with.
Sincerely,
Lisa Browning
rodgernique hemphill
September 7, 2005
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
Alejandro Soto
August 9, 2005
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.
Alejandro, fifth grader at Goudy
Marco Suarez
August 9, 2005
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
Shonesha Jones
August 9, 2005
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
Esther Sanchez
August 9, 2005
February 2005
Dear Mr. Durkin,
Thank you for the other part of the school. Thank you for being a good principal. Good luck.
Esther, second grader at Goudy
Leslie Arvidez
August 9, 2005
February 2005
Dear Mr. Durkin,
I like you for a principal. I like when you come in our classroom.
Love,
Leslie, second grader at Goudy
Brenda Hernandez
August 9, 2005
February 2005
Dear Mr. Durkin,
Your the best in the hole world. We will miss you a lot. You're the best principal.
From Brenda, second grader at Goudy
Odalis Barrientos
August 9, 2005
February 2005
Dear Mr. Durkin,
I like when you help the children. I like when you talk to make us laugh. Stay happy and nice.
Odalis, third grader at Goudy School
Kenneth Carter
August 9, 2005
February 2005
I don't want you to go. Everyone is going to miss you. You been a great principal and a good person to me. Best of all luck.
Kenneth, fourth grader at Goudy
Emilio Fuentes
August 9, 2005
February 2005
Dear Mr. Durkin,
I hope you are better. When are you coming back.
Sincerely,
Emilio, third grader, Goudy School
Daniel Arvidez
August 9, 2005
February 2005
Dear Mr. Durkin,
I will miss you. Thank you for being a good principal and you are a good person and you are a very nice person and I wish you will visit some day. Have a nice retirement. We will all miss you very much. You are the best principal ever. My family will miss you and my friend's family. I hope you have a good retirement. Goodbye.
Daniel, fifth grader at Goudy
Beth Palmer
August 9, 2005
February 26, 2005
Dear Mr. Durkin,
These past 17 years have been wonderful -- for the children, the community and all of us working with you. We've all had the interests of the children as our focus, and together we were a village nurturing and raising a generation.
I appreciated you taking me seriously in working with children -- when I was trying to find new space to tutor last fall, when I wanted to obtain our students' Iowa Test scores, when there were difficult children in our program, and in coordinating and picking up the Christmas presents to give the children. Those were joyful times.
The whole community stood in awe as we saw Goudy go from a wild school with wild classrooms and groups of kids running down the hallways to a calm school where sudents and teachers enjoy being with each other and learning. What a pleasure to see how beautifully the children behave and see them improve in their test scores and do well in high school and beyond!
The glory times were fun: when Goudy was featured on "Good Morning, America," when it was in the Tribune, when you were on Chicago Public Radio. All of us were ecstatic when you were named Principal of the Year! The new section of Goudy is a symbol of the amazing times.
You led a wonderful transformation in Goudy these past 17 years, as you set a tone of caring for the students and their families. I remember several times when you walked a child home during the day for one reason or another. Antonio Dixon, a student many years ago, said, "Mr. Durkin's tough, but he's fair." This is what will last.
It's been a wonderful time. Thank you.
With gratitude and appreciation,
Beth Struck Palmer
Director, Inspired Youth Tutoring
Everardo Flores - Goudy School
July 30, 2005
Mrs. Durkin and family:
I would like to find words that could help you find comfort for such irreparable loss but it's not easy. I wish with all my heart that God be with you.
Without Mr. Durkin, nothing will be the same.
The Best Boss in the World
Abdulah Hodzic
July 28, 2005
Dear Durkin Family,
Please accept our deepest sympathies for the loss of your husband, father,grandfather, friend and most of all "Mr. Durkin". God put us on this earth to learn and do good deeds so that one day we will meet him again.
Mr. Durkin's work and good deeds are impossible to express because there are not enough words to describe his goodness. There are not enough word to express my gratitude because "Thank you" is not enough.
Mr. Durkin was my boss, but more importantly he was like my father who I lost due to war. I understantd the grief and pain you feel for him.
I know that he is gone, but Mr. Durkin will always be remembered in the hearts of the Hodzic Family.
Abdulah Hodzic
Reghan Quick
July 26, 2005
I miss my grandpa dearly. He always helped me and made me laugh when I needed him to. He used to take me for a walk without telling my mom and we would laugh together. He would call me Reghanator. He was special man and I was very lucky to have him as my grandfather.
Goodbye Grandpa. I will always love you.
Samuel Maynie
July 25, 2005
Mr.Durkin was always there for me.
He was a true friend and I will miss him dearly.
God's Speed,
Samuel Maynie
Patricia Walsh
July 25, 2005
As a caring father, heroic Chicago firefighter, dedicated teacher, and honored principal, Packy lived several lifetimes in the one life he was given.
MariPat Donahue
July 20, 2005
I cry today as I read such wonderful words about my father. For today is the 1st day that I have read this and tears flow from my eyes. Dad was a true icon and has deeply touched so many lives. Let us be left with fond memories and hope that we can be a better person by living through his example. I miss him so very much.
As I speak to my family we realize that we are no longer afraid to die one day, for we know he will be there to greet us with open arms. (That is if he's not in the middle of running things up there.)
Edward Zienkowicz
July 15, 2005
To the Family of Patrick Durkin with Love
It has been a privilege and an honor to know and to work with Mr. Durkin for fifteen years at Goudy School. He opened the door to the teaching profession for me, and I will always be grateful. To me, he was like a Big Brother, a friend, and the Boss.
Foremost in his thoughts was the love for his wife, family, friends, and the extended family he created at Goudy School. The Boss had an unbelievable ability to communicate with people regardless of there life's condition. He was a great teacher about the lessons of life, and sometimes his lessons were hard. His speeches were always brilliant and were never prepared or practiced because when he spoke, it came from the heart. The Boss believed in saving children and always felt that they were precious, and were the light and hope of their parent's lives. To him, there was no such thing as a bad child. There was nothing he wouldn't do to help someone in trouble, fix their car, take them to the Doctor, or give them a ride home. He attended countless weddings, christenings, funerals and was always there for you. I will always remember him standing outside the school in rain, snow, sunshine and when very ill, talking to the children and making sure they were happy and safe. The Boss was his own man and applied common sense to his position as Principal and didn't always like playing by someone elses rules. That's what set him apart from the rest. If there was a song that fit his life, it would have to be "I Did It My Way".
Well Boss, thanks for the California drop-offs, and yes I am still a zero. I'll see around someday and when I do will have a good laugh about it all. And the first ones on me. Your friend..Mr. Z
Lorraine Swanson
July 12, 2005
I had the honor of meeting Mr. Durkin as a volunteer for the Epworth Tutoring Program (now called Inspired Youth)that mentored and tutored 125 students from Goudy Elementary School. While Mr. Durkin didn't know me, he was known to everyone who lived in the Uptown/Edgewater community. The existence of volunteer programs like Inspired Youth was just another one of Mr. Durkin's many remarkable talents in inspiring community involvement with this precious school. I remember Mr. Durkin saying that if there was strife or war thousands of miles away from Chicago, that we'd see those children six months later enrolling in Goudy School. For many children who were political refugees, Mr. Durkin's school was their point of entry into American life and society. He bent over backwards to ensure that these children got back to business of being kids and continuing their education in spite of the atrocities they witnessed or suffered. Under his leadership, he helped thousands of other at-risk kids believe in their own potential and become life-long learners. My memories of Mr. Durkin are of a man in perpetual motion, offering a kind word to a child, helping a colleague, and rolling up his sleeves to do whatever task was at hand. Mr. Durkin's passing is a sad day for Chicago public schools. We need more principals like him. My sympathties to his family, colleagues, and the children of Uptown and Edgewater.
God speed, Mr. Durkin
Heidi Wahnon
July 11, 2005
To the Durkin Family,
My heartfelt sympathy goes out to you. I had the pleasure of meeting and working with Mr. Durkin at Goudy School. He was such a remarkable man. The Best! He had a HEART OF GOLD and would do anything for anyone in need. Yes, this world is DEFINATELY a better place because of him. His kind heart & giving attitude was experienced by many, and he will be missed dearly. I am proud to have known him & will never forget the life lessons that he has taught me. They will stay with me forever. May you find comfort in the wonderful memories he has given you. God bless.
Heidi Wahnon
Mark Quick
July 11, 2005
Father in Law
Friend
Always there
True
Helper
Example to follow
Remembered
I will miss you
Needed by all
Leader
Accomplished
We Will Miss you Forever
My Man!!!!!!
Mark Quick
Theresa (Neary) Mykowski
July 11, 2005
I am so sorry to hear that Packy
passed away. He was well liked
by everyone who knew him and
will surely be missed, especially
at the Christmas parties.
My thoughts and prayers are with
you and your family.
Jeannine Williams
July 7, 2005
I'm grateful I was able to see you all at the visitation Wednesday evening, and wanted you to know my thoughts and prayers are with you today. I have fond memories of visiting the Durkin household as Kathy's friend, never a dull moment. In the middle of it all was Mr. Durkin, taking everything in with a smirk and looking as if there was nowhere else he'd rather be at that time. You're all on my heart, and will continue to be in my prayers the coming weeks and months. I'm praying that you feel God's comfort and peace in your grief; that you feel His hope. Love, Jeannine
Helen Harris
July 6, 2005
To the Durkin Family:
I had the great pleasure to teach under the supervision of your wonderful husband and father. He was a good and kind gentleman, one who will live in my heart forever. May he rest in peace and may you not know any more sorrow.
Helen Harris
first grade teacher (retired) Goudy
Jack Famera
July 6, 2005
Durkin Family,
I read with a heavy heart today about the passing of Pat. He was a GREAT guy. He was my "principal" when I was the gym teacher during the last years of Hermitage Park School. I will never forget his kindness when he let me go a few hours early to see my wife when we had our first child, James. He was truly an original. Years later I ran into him at Northeastern Illinois University. He was a friendly and outgoing as ever. He will truly be missed. My step-son, Ed Juracka married one of the one of Jim Toomey's daughters. I understand the Durkins and Toomeys were close. Again my deepest sympathy.
Jack Famera
Richard Houlihan
July 6, 2005
Pat, was one of the best persons living on this earth. I had the pleasure of working with him in the old District Two. He was a gentleman with a smile on his face at all times. He had the children of the Goudy School in his thoughts at all times.
He will be missed by all.
Brian Deenihan
July 6, 2005
I miss your father and husband. I miss my uncle Packy.
The world is a lesser place without him.
Slavica Simic
July 5, 2005
Dear MR. Durkin,
Thank yuo so much for your enormous help during my strugguling to stay in the U. S. My family will never forget you.
God bless you!
Miroslav,Marko and Slavica Simic
Maria Hatfield
July 5, 2005
Dear Mrs. Durkin and Family,
Kim and I would like to thank you for everything we have share over the years. It was a an honor to work for a person like Mr. Durkin. He was our friend, mentor, and leader. We just can not believe that he is gone. He will will always be in our hearts forever.
God Bless you all
Maria and Kim
Nancy Pendry
July 5, 2005
My heartfelt condolences to the Durkin family.
I met "Durk" thru Ed Tobin many years ago and from then on our paths crossed occasionally. When they did, the first to speak always said "Have you talked to Eddie?" I last saw Durk a few years ago at a CPAA Annual Conference when he told me he was ill. In his jovial way and with a twinkle in his eye he said I should have a drink for him as he held his glass of juice. I didn't then but I will make a point to have a drink in his honor.
Save a good spot for the rest of us, Pat.
CPS Retiree
DOROTHY NYGREN
July 5, 2005
PAT'S GENOROUS AND CARING NATURE WILL BE LONG REMEMBERED.
Lori Murphy
July 5, 2005
Eileen and Reese, Mrs Durkin, and all of the Durkin Family,
I wish that words could help take some of your sorrow away. Just know that I am thinking of all of you and praying for your hearts to find peace. I will always remember how kind and generous your dad was to me; just one of his childrens' many friends who passed throught his door. God Bless, Lori Murphy
Lorraine Ortiz
July 5, 2005
Molly & Family,
I'm so sorry to hear about your loss and that I couldn't be there with you. But you and your family are in my thoughts and prayers.
I love you,
Lorr
Tammy Donahue - McGing
July 5, 2005
I am so very sorry to hear of Paddy's passing. He truly is a remarkable man who with his wonderful sense of humor, brought smiles and laughter to everyone. He will greatly be missed. God bless him and all of his family.
Joan Petrakos
July 5, 2005
Molly,
I am so sorry for your loss. I didn't have the chance to know your father, but I know you and just from that connection know he was a great man. Although he is not here physically, he will always be with you in your heart and mind. God Bless you and your family. My prayers are with you!
Lisa Washlow
July 5, 2005
Mrs. Durkin:
I am so very sorry for your loss. From the first day that Brendan introduced me to your family, you always made me feel so welcome. I know that he will be missed. You and everyone in your wonderful family are in my prayers.
Jerry, Cris, Elizabeth and Michael Leenheer
July 5, 2005
Kay and Family,
Our prayers and love go out to you. We know Pat is with God and looking down on you with love. He is my best friend and was truly a good and caring human being. We have all been blessed with having him in our lives. You can be very proud of his accomplishments and the world is a better place because of him and you are all an example of it. He will always be in our hearts and some day you will be united with him again.
All our love, Cris, Jerry, Elizabeth and Michael Leenheer
Nora Cadenas
July 5, 2005
Eileen,
I just wanted you to know that my thoughts and prayers go out to you and your family.
Seward Academy
Tom & Brenda Walsh
July 4, 2005
Kay and family,
I am sorry so to hear about Mr. D, he will truly be missed by all, I am so glad that I had the opportunity to meet such a great and wonderful person. I can not express how much Mr. D meant to me and Tom. I am also lucky to have met such a warm and loving family. A part of your family is missing but you will have the strength that will come from family, friends and memories to get you through. Our thoughts, love and prayers are with you. I am sure Mr. D will be watching over us all. Guiding us in his own way.
Love Tom and Brenda Walsh
Joyce Barth
July 4, 2005
Eilleen Stobart and Durkin family,
Eileen I was so sorry to hear your dad passed away. Although I am far away, I am thinking about you and your family during this difficult time.
Nikke & Loren Jenkinson
July 4, 2005
Our loving condolences to the Durkin Family. He will truly be missed.
Romans 12:9 Don't just pretend that you love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Stand on the side of good.
Maria Hatfield
July 4, 2005
Mr. Durkin,
Thank you for being the best leader and mentor for your Goudy Family. We miss you and we will always keep you in our hearts. Our condolences to Mr. Durkin's Family.
Maria and Kim
Martha Giles
July 4, 2005
I worked with Mr.Durkin for 35 years.He was a great humanitarian
and valued friend.Patrick made this
a kinder gentler world for me and
many children.
Martin & Mary Lucas
July 4, 2005
Our sympathy and prayers go out to the Durkin family. All the Lucas' will miss his friendly and kind demenor and the love he extended to us.
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