Joseph Edwin Durfee

Saint Albans – Joseph Edwin Durfee, the youngest son of the late Edwin H. Durfee and Inez Wood Durfee, passed away on November 2, 2025. He was predeceased by his wife Mary Ann Howland Durfee, on January 17, 2023.
Joseph was born in Meadville, PA on June 1, 1931. He lived most of his life on the family farm in Townville, PA. He graduated from Townville High School in 1949. Joseph joined the U.S. Navy on January 10, 1951, during the Korean Conflict. He served as a radio man 2nd class abroad the USS Leary (DDR-879) Because of his rating he served aboard various other ships during his enlistments. Joseph was honorably discharged on November 12, 1954, and returned to Townville, PA. He then made plans to attend college in the fall of 1955.
On November 19, 1955, he was married to the former Mary Ann Holland of Union City, PA and celebrated 67 years of marriage. They had four children: Ronald J. Durfee (Deborah), Carole A. Durfee (BFF Rosemary), Matthew G. Durfee (Reagan), Andrew S. Durfee (Karen Boomhower). Seven grandchildren; Erin Stover (Adam), Rachel Durfee (Scott), Mitchel M. Durfee (Michelle Beaupre), Ashley Malcahy (Kevin), Jessica Durfee, Charlie Cronin, Marshall Cronin. Eight great grandchildren; Khloe Benson, Brooklyn Durfee, Kennedy Greeno, Beverly Stover, Nora Malcahy, Fia Malcahy, Truett Baxter and Ari Baxter. Several nieces and nephews also survive him.
Besides his parents he was preceded by brother; Jack Durfee, sister; Jean Durfee, and infant sister; June. As well as his in-laws; Jane Durfee, Ralph Berline, Barbara and Sam Dove, Donna and R Thomas Layden, Charlene Ryan. Nephews; Michael, Donny and Gary Lyn Haenal.
Joseph graduated August 28, 1959, from California State College (now University) in California, PA. He was among one of the first-class veterans attending on the GI bill. His major was Industrial Arts. He was hired right out of college to teach at Bloomfield, NJ and the family moved to Oak Ridge, NJ. From 1960-1970 he taught at the first high school in West Milford, NJ, where he helped to initiate the Industrial Arts Program. The family made their home at Lindy Lake on Otterhole Road while in NJ.
Always an avid basketball player he coached the JV basketball team and assisted with the Varsity team. While doing this he attended a clinic at West Point held by coach Bobby Knight. The point guard is now better known as Coach K. of Duke University and Joe had a long love affair with Duke basketball.
In 1970 the family moved again to St. Albans, VT, as Joe was hired to teach Industrial Arts at the new city school for 7th and 8th grade students along with John Manley. He taught a full range of studies, woodworking, electricity, graphic arts, metal shop, printing and small engine mechanics.
While in the city school he was a class advisor, President of Teachers Association, assisted coaching elementary girls' basketball and had the yearbook dedicated to him. He continued his education while in NJ with classes at Montclair State College, and in VT at UVM, Johnson State College and also University of Pittsburgh, earning a B.A. plus 60 credits.
Joseph enjoyed all of his students and helped steer many of them to careers in education and building trades. While often forgetting names he always remembered what projects they made in class. One of his most sobering memories was visiting the Vietnam Memorial Wall where he was able to find the names of two of his former students from NJ.
For many years the Durfee family owned and operated a riding stable in Canadohta Lake, PA. Joe was an excellent rider, a skate boy at the roller rink, and a soda jerk at Melody Lane. It was at Canadohta Lake that Mary (age 12) and Joseph (15) first became friends. The lake has always been a special place for vacations and family reunions.
For most of his life Joe was a member of the Methodist Church. In VT he joined the Bay Church and helped build the church expansion. He served on several communities and helped with their annual Church sale. He was a lifetime member of the American Legion Post #1.
Joe taught all of his children to fish, hunt and learn the meaning of hard work. He could always be found tending to his yard, down in his shop or up at his camp in the Gibou of Montgomery, VT. He loved to walk and would be out as early for his 4-5 walks in all kinds of weather. Everyday he made a to do list and usually had it completed by evening. He was fond of trips to Nova Scotia, Amtrak to AZ, 50th Anny to Niagara Falls and casino in NY.
Joseph was able to stay at home right up to his passing with help of his four children and good neighbors Sally Lawyer and Jeannie Renaudette.
In lieu of flowers it is requested donations to James Bashaw Fund c/o Northwestern Medical Center, 133 Fairfield Street, Vermont 05478 or a charity of choice.
Joseph's family will receive family and friends on Friday November 14, 2025 from 4:00PM to 7:00PM, at the Heald Funeral Home, 87 South Main Street, St. Albans.
A funeral service will be held on Saturday, November 15th, at 10:00 AM at the St. Albans Bay United Methodist Church, 575 Lake Road, St. Albans Bay with Pastor Seokcheol Shin officiating. Prayers of committal and Military Honors will follow at the St. Albans Bay Cemetery.
Arrangements are by the Heald Funeral Home, where messages of condolence are welcome at www.healdfuneralhome.com.