Robert J. Durgin

Robert James Durgin, 81 years of age, of Braintree passed away peacefully surrounded by his family at the South Shore Hospital on Wednesday, November 22, 2017. Bob was born in Boston and raised in Carlisle. He then moved to Braintree and was a graduate of Braintree High School Class of 1953. After high school, Bob entered the U.S. Marine Corps, where he served his country from 1953 to 1956. After his military service, Bob worked for his father at Durgin Weatherstrip of Braintree, which Bob developed into Durgin Industries. In later years, he became a partner in Custom Design Home Improvement. Bob was a skilled craftsman and had an innovative eye for design. He was active in many organizations and was the president of the Braintree Rotary Club in 1979, where he was awarded the Paul Harris Fellow Medal, an achievement for members that put the needs of the community above their own. He also served his community as a Commissioner of the Braintree Park Department. Bob had also been on the Board of Directors at the former Braintree Savings Bank. Bob loved the outdoors and spent time camping, fishing, and golfing with his family and friends. He was known for his gentle demeanor, his kindness, and his sense of humor. Bob instantly made people feel welcome and was always willing to lend a hand to those who needed it. Bob was the beloved husband of Gail E. (Jerdon) Farrell-Durgin. He was also the husband of the late Carolyn A. (Hobart) Durgin who passed away in 1997. He was the loving father of Donna M. Durgin-Fels married to Rocky Fels of Chattahoochee, FL., Robert J. Durgin, Jr. married to Lauren of Braintree, Daniel P. Durgin married to Brenda of Otisfield, ME, Tracy L. Durgin of Marietta, GA, and Sharon A. Durgin married to Thomas Bednarz of Natick. He is survived by three stepchildren, Michelle Alibrandi married to Peter of Braintree, Robert Farrell, Jr. married to Karen of Wilmington and Susan Sass of Braintree. He was the proud grandfather of eight, great-grandfather of two, and step-grandfather of seven. He was the brother of Patricia Goddard of Oregon, Deborah Durgin-Glenn of Warrenville, S.C., Barbara Monty of Boston and the late David Durgin formerly of Florida and the late Susan Monty formerly of Boston. Bob was the son of the late Frederick Robert Durgin and Jeanette (Dooley) Durgin. Visiting hours will be held at the Mortimer N. Peck-Russell Peck Funeral Home, 516 Washington St., Braintree, Monday, November 27, from 4 to 8 p.m. There will be a gathering at the funeral home on Tuesday, November 28, at 9 a.m. to be followed by a funeral Mass at the Church of Saint Clare, 1244 Liberty Street, Braintree Highlands at 10 a.m. Burial will follow at Blue Hill Cemetery, Braintree with military honors. Memorial donations in Bobs memory may be sent to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, 26 Broadway, 14 th floor, New York, N.Y. 10004. For directions, or to leave a sympathy message for Bobs family, visit www.peckservices.com.