Thomas H Durkin

Thomas Henry Durkin (Tom), age 93, passed away peacefully on January 9, surrounded by the

loving care of his family. He was born on August 22, 1932, in Fitchburg, Massachusetts, to

Clarence and Katherine Durkin.

Following in his father's footsteps, Tom became an electrician and proudly served his country as

a veteran of the Korean War. After returning home, he married Janet Marley, his beloved wife of

65 years. The couple moved to Boston, where Tom graduated from Boston University. They

always reflected fondly on these early years-embracing city life together and beginning their

family.

Tom and Janet built a life defined by warmth and hospitality. Together they owned and operated

several successful businesses, first in the trades, where Tom worked as an electrician and builder,

and later expanded into hospitality. On Falmouth Main Street, in the Weeks Building, they

operated The Good Life frozen yogurt shop, followed by a second location in the Casino

Building on the Heights. They went on to own and operate a highly regarded inn and restaurant

in Vermont, a bed and breakfast in Waquoit, and finally opened their home in East Falmouth to

guests from near and far.

Rather than settling into retirement, Tom and Janet embraced an active later life as "reverse

snowbirds," spending winters at their Vermont home. They became cherished members of the

Mount Snow resort community in Dover, Vermont, where for three decades they were the

friendly, welcoming couple selling tickets at the base of the mountain.

Athletic and adventurous, Tom shared his love of skiing and sailing with friends and family,

inspiring generations. Summers were spent sailing in Waquoit Bay and Nantucket Sound, while

winters were devoted to skiing with lifelong friends at Hogback Mountain in Marlboro,

Vermont. In the late 1990s, Tom surprised many by taking up snowboarding alongside his

grandson-a passion he continued until age 87. Running was another lifelong pursuit. Tom ran

the Falmouth Road Race for decades and completed both the Boston and Cape Cod Marathons.

Civic-minded and generous, Tom and Janet frequently hosted fundraisers at their inns in

Vermont and Falmouth. A 1997 event raised funds for the Falmouth Free Clinic, which later

grew into the Community Health Center of Cape Cod. They also opened their inn and grounds to

events supporting the Waquoit Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve and hosted numerous

"house parties" for political candidates and other causes. Their distinguished guests included

Katherine Graham, Vermont Governor Madeleine Kunin, Rudolf Serkin, Marcel Moyse, John

Kenneth Galbraith,Wolf Kahn,Dave McKenna, and Tony Bennett.

Everyone who knew Tom knew him as an eternal optimist who was always up for something.

Even in his later years, when his mobility was limited and you knew he wasn't feeling his best,

he never complained and still wanted to go-whether to his great-grandson's hockey game, on

the long drive to Vermont to visit family, or for a ride along the seashores of cape cod. Known

affectionately as "Gramps" by his loving family, he was just a joy to be around and he always let

you know he was so grateful for your visit.

Tom was predeceased by his wife, Janet, and his sons, Thomas (Susan) and Peter. He is survived

by his daughters, Pattee and Tracy; his grandchildren, Kerry (Greg), Andrew (Krystal), Michael

(Brianna), Emily (Brandon), and Caity (Will); and his great-grandchildren, Cole, Isabella, Bode,

Natalie, Bennett, Amelia, Callum, Everett, Marley Rose, and Hudson.

Services to honor Tom will be held at Saint Patrick's Church on January 26 at 11:00 AM,

located at 511 Main Street, Falmouth. In lieu of flowers, please consider contributing to The

Honorable Thomas S. Durkin Memorial Scholarship at Vermont Law School.

https://connect.vermontlaw.edu/durkin-memorial-scholarship-campaign