Earl F. Durkee

ISLESBORO..Earl F. Durkee, 85, of Islesboro, died at his home on Wednesday, June 29, 2022.
Born on March 14, 1937 on Islesboro, he was the son of the late Donald A. and Dorothy Hamilton
Durkee. He was a member of the Class of 1954 at Islesboro High School, the first graduating class in the
new schools.
In his younger years, he enjoyed assisting the elderly with chores and doing odd jobs to help his family
make ends meet.
Earl served in the U.S. Air Force and worked in telecommunications in Korea. Following discharge from
the military and after living a brief time in Pennsylvania, Earl returned to Islesboro to help his family
when his father was ill. He met and married Judith Hammond, had three children, and divorced 17 years
later. Earl then married Janice Govoni, divorcing after 30 years of marriage.
Earl held various jobs in his early life learning carpentry from Chet Pendleton, and eventually starting his
own general contracting business, building many homes on Islesboro. In his later years, he worked as a
caretaker for several properties and began his beloved lobstering business. He continued doing
carpentry, making furniture, chairs and most recently, bird house with the help of Andrew Coombs. Earl
kept busy working on projects and was known as an avid sports fan that enjoyed watching games with
his friends. His hobbies included making seafood chowders, growing flowers, and feeding wild birds. He
loved animals, especially his cats.
Earl was a member of the Islesboro Fire Department, a member of the Islesboro Second Baptist Church
and the Masonic Lodge #89.
Predeceased by a grandson, Casey Durkee, he is survived by his three children, Earl "Kenney" Kenneth
Durkee of Islesboro, Therese Adele Durkee and Michael Allen Durkee, both of Northport; siblings,
Marjorie Brown of Islesboro, Julia Pendleton of Lincolnville; Grace Leach of Islesboro; Donald "Donnie"
Durkee of Islesboro; Mary Gadbois of Beverly, MA; Shirley Durkee of Camden; seven grandchildren; four
great-grandchildren, and a multitude of life-long friends.
There will be a memorial gathering for Earl at 10AM, Saturday, August 20, 2022 at the lower parking
area just before the down dock formerly known as "Mosley's dock", overlooking the waters he
frequented throughout his life. The Rev. Patricia Goodspeed will officiate. Private interment with
military honors will be held at the Greenwood Cemetery. Memorial gifts may be made in his memory to
the Islesboro Community Fund, P.O. Box 166, Islesboro, ME 04848. Condolences may be shared at
www.longfuneralhomecamden.com. Arrangements are with the Long Funeral Home & Cremation
Service, 9 Mountain Street, Camden.