L. Stephen Durkee

1927 - 2016

L. Stephen Durkee obituary, 1927-2016, Wellfleet, MA

L. Stephen Durkee

1927 - 2016

BORN

1927

DIED

2016

L. Stephen Durkee Obituary

Published by Legacy Remembers on Jun. 12, 2016.
Steve Durkee, age 89. A bright light went out in Wellfleet MA. when Steve Durkee died on June 11, at noon. He died peacefully, quickly, painlessly and at home; this was exactly what he wanted and how he wanted. He was born in Salem , MA and lived for most of his life in Framingham and Wellfleet.

Steve was an amazing, unique guy who affected everyone he knew. He was a devoted husband to Nancy, his wife of 50 years, a great father and was beloved to many of his children's friends. He made people and places better, inspired generations of students and had a generous heart. He lived his life fully and embraced every day with intense curiosity. He graduated in 1950 from Mass. College of Art, in Boston, and loved his 31 years as a Professor of Art at Framingham State University. Though he was retired nearly as long as he worked, he never stopped working: he was amazingly productive as an artist, a poet, an advocate, and community leader. Steve was an instigator and entrepreneur who acted on ideas to enrich his communities. He was a founder of The Danforth Museum of Art in Framingham; started the Museum of American Architecture, a traveling exhibit designed to educate the public about the styles of architecture in New England, and organized the first group of The Wellfleet Gardeners. He was especially fervent about creating affordable housing on the lower Cape, serving on the Wellfleet Housing Authority for 13 years and volunteering at Habitat for Humanity. He sailed and rowed; he tamed crows; he loved architecture and beautifully designed things, and was the builder of many homes, three of them designed and built with his sons in Wellfleet. He read a lot and thought big; he spoke in exclamations!

Steve first came to Wellfleet with his parents in 1932 and learned to sail in Chipman's Cove. He loved living his life in Wellfleet, a truly special place, and he leaves a legacy that will be appreciated by many for years and years to come. Anyone who has walked the shoreline of Duck Creek knows about The Benches, a sitting spot created and maintained by Steve for years. His granddaughter, Sela, added the Bench Books, in which visitors to the benches can write. Seeing people enjoying the benches and reading the notes they left in the bench books gave him immense joy. He hosted several weddings of friends and neighbors on his property, as well, sharing freely what he had. On his 80th birthday, when asked what he thought made for a good life, Steve said, without hesitation: "Oh, that's easy…giving!" He believed in the power of generosity and modeled it exquisitely.

He leaves his family behind: sons, Steve and Scott Durkee; daughter, Susan Durkee; grandchildren, Jeevon and Kerewyn Durkee and Asher and Sela Kenen; and Rosalind Pace, his loving companion of twelve years. He also leaves behind his sister, Constance Clark, and a long list of nieces, nephews, in-laws, friends, and neighbors who are as close as family; all will miss him greatly. A memorial service for Steve will be held in September. In his memory, all are encouraged to give a contribution to The Four Rivers Educational Foundation in Greenfield, MA to Cape Cod Habitat For Humanity, or to volunteer in his name.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

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June 23, 2016

Loretta Rossetti posted to the memorial.

June 14, 2016

Meghan Flynn posted to the memorial.

June 13, 2016

Fred Fiandaca posted to the memorial.

4 Entries

Loretta Rossetti

June 23, 2016

I was one of Steven Durkee's students at Framingham State College in the 1960s. He was a wonderful teacher who embraced life with a loving heart. He is fondly remembered.

Meghan Flynn

June 14, 2016

Mr. Durkee will always be affectionately known to myself and my three sons as K9000. We were neighbors for five years and he always took the time to stop and check-in, and chat with the boys when he would see us in the yard. We often visit the benches as it is a wonderful spot for reflection. RIP K9000, you will be missed.

Fred Fiandaca

June 13, 2016

RIP Steve.

The Staff of Nickerson Funeral Home

June 12, 2016

We wish to extend our deepest sympathies at this difficult time.

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Nickerson Funeral Home - Orleans

77 Eldredge Park Way, Orleans, MA 02653

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Sign L. Stephen Durkee's Guest Book

Not sure what to say?

June 23, 2016

Loretta Rossetti posted to the memorial.

June 14, 2016

Meghan Flynn posted to the memorial.

June 13, 2016

Fred Fiandaca posted to the memorial.