Richard Jewell Durrell

RICHARD JEWELL DURRELL Richard Jewell Durrell, 82, died March 7, 2008 peacefully after a long illness at his home in Fairfield, CT, surrounded by his devoted wife of 58 years, Jacquelyn C. Durrell, and other family members. He was a part-time resident of Vero Beach, FL, for many years. "Dick" was born in Minneapolis, MN, and excelled in basketball and baseball while growing up, and later was offered professional baseball contracts by the Dodgers and Cubs. He graduated from Washburn High School in Minneapolis in 1942 and enlisted in the U.S. Marines during World War II, where he served three years and was in Occupied Japan. He graduated from the University of Minnesota in 1948 and married Jacky in 1949. He worked in advertising for both Life and Time Magazines at Time Inc., including as Life's assistant publisher. He was instrumental in the launch of People Magazine as its founding publisher. He was a vice president of Time Inc. and retired from the company in 1984. He served on the boards of HBO, the American Advertising Foundation, and Northland College in Wisconsin. He was a family man and enjoyed sports, traveling, reading, and lengthy conversations with family and friends. He was a member of the John's Island Golf Club and a longtime season ticket-holder to Los Angeles Dodger spring training games. He was admired for his ability to tell stories, his attention to detail, his intellectual curiosity, his fairness, his compassion and his modesty. He was a legendary fan of the Boston Red Sox and was active in the Society of American Baseball Research. Dick was always supportive of his wife's political career, and often joked he was perhaps best known in Fairfield as "Jacky's husband." Jacky Durrell served as Fairfield First Selectman for 10 years. He was pre-deceased by a son, Scott-Alexander Durrell, of Minneapolis and is survived by his wife, five children, seven grandchildren and a sister. A Memorial Service will take place Saturday, April 5 at 11:30 AM at First Church Congregational, 148 Beach Rd, Fairfield, CT. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to the SHAUGHNESSEY-BANKS FUNERAL HOME, 50 Reef Rd. in Fairfield. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be sent to Hospice at Home, 40 Lindeman Drive, Trumbull, CT 06611, or Dick Siebert (Athletic) Scholarship Fund, University of Minnesota Golden Gopher Fund, 600 15th Ave. SE, Rm. 275, Minneapolis, MN 55455. To send an online condolence, please visit www.shaughnesseyfuneralhome.com.