Official Obituary of
Thomas B. Durkin
September 24, 1927 ~ March 20, 2014 (age 86) 86 Years Old
Thomas Durkin Obituary
Thomas (Tom) B. Durkin passed away on Thursday, March 20, 2014, at the Community Hospital of Anaconda.
Tom was born September 24, 1927, the oldest of three children, to William and Mary (Mackin) Durkin in Anaconda. He was educated at St. Peter's Grade School and Anaconda Central. He would have graduated from Anaconda Central with the Class of 1946, but left school to join the Navy. After his discharge in 1948, he graduated, along with his sister Mary, with the Class of 1949 from Anaconda Central. He always enjoyed celebrating class reunions with both classes.
While in the Navy, Tom served on four ships, USS Wisconsin, USS Dayton, USS Markab and USS Abbot. He served during both World War II and the Korean War. Around his military service, he was educated at Western Montana College in Dillon, and then attended Carroll College in Helena. Tom played football at both colleges, cementing a lifelong love of sports. At Carroll College he met his future wife, Monica Clare Lynch. They married on October 27, 1956. Tom and Clare raised four children in Anaconda.
Tom took his first job as a paper boy, and retired from the U.S. Postal Service in 1987. In between, he worked at the Anaconda Smelter, BA&P Railroad, and bartended at numerous locations in both Anaconda and Butte. Sometimes working days at one, and evenings at another.
His love of sorts had many outlets. He was active in the Anaconda youth baseball for many years. He attended the first baseball game of his beloved Colorado Rockies at Coors Field. After his retirement, he spent months in Denver for the baseball season. Even on his trips to California, he would fit in a trip to San Francisco to visit his niece and catch a game.
Tom never met a stranger and would start a conversation with anyone. This talent served him well when he was involved with the Cursillo movement through the Catholic Church. He participated for many years and attended first Cursillo to be conducted at Montana State Prison.
Tom is survived by his children, Margie (Daryl) Collinsworth, Santa Maria, CA; Pete (Diana) Durkin, Anaconda; Ann Durkin (Doyle Klemetsen), Kent, WA; and Tom (Linda) Durkin, Helena; sister Mary Kirk, Boise, ID; two grandchildren, Jennifer (Eric) Kieding, Ballard, CA; and Jason (Niky) Collinsworth, Lynwood, WA; two great-granddaughters, Jordan and Emily Kieding, Ballard, CA; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Preceding him in death were his parents, brother William; and his wife Clare.
Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Peter's Catholic Church on Tuesday, March 25, 2014, at 11:00 a.m.
Visitation will begin at 5:00 p.m. on Monday, March 24, 2014, with Rosary at 6:30 p.m. and the Vigil at 7:00 p.m. There will be an hour of visitation prior to the service on Tuesday.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Anaconda Pintler Hospice, Butte Catholic Education Fund or charity of donor's choice.
4th St. and Alder St.
Anaconda, MT 59711
4th St. and Alder St.
Anaconda, MT 59711
4th St. and Alder St.
Anaconda, MT 59711
4th St. and Alder St.
Anaconda, MT 59711
Anaconda, MT 59711
Tom was born September 24, 1927, the oldest of three children, to William and Mary (Mackin) Durkin in Anaconda. He was educated at St. Peter's Grade School and Anaconda Central. He would have graduated from Anaconda Central with the Class of 1946, but left school to join the Navy. After his discharge in 1948, he graduated, along with his sister Mary, with the Class of 1949 from Anaconda Central. He always enjoyed celebrating class reunions with both classes.
While in the Navy, Tom served on four ships, USS Wisconsin, USS Dayton, USS Markab and USS Abbot. He served during both World War II and the Korean War. Around his military service, he was educated at Western Montana College in Dillon, and then attended Carroll College in Helena. Tom played football at both colleges, cementing a lifelong love of sports. At Carroll College he met his future wife, Monica Clare Lynch. They married on October 27, 1956. Tom and Clare raised four children in Anaconda.
Tom took his first job as a paper boy, and retired from the U.S. Postal Service in 1987. In between, he worked at the Anaconda Smelter, BA&P Railroad, and bartended at numerous locations in both Anaconda and Butte. Sometimes working days at one, and evenings at another.
His love of sorts had many outlets. He was active in the Anaconda youth baseball for many years. He attended the first baseball game of his beloved Colorado Rockies at Coors Field. After his retirement, he spent months in Denver for the baseball season. Even on his trips to California, he would fit in a trip to San Francisco to visit his niece and catch a game.
Tom never met a stranger and would start a conversation with anyone. This talent served him well when he was involved with the Cursillo movement through the Catholic Church. He participated for many years and attended first Cursillo to be conducted at Montana State Prison.
Tom is survived by his children, Margie (Daryl) Collinsworth, Santa Maria, CA; Pete (Diana) Durkin, Anaconda; Ann Durkin (Doyle Klemetsen), Kent, WA; and Tom (Linda) Durkin, Helena; sister Mary Kirk, Boise, ID; two grandchildren, Jennifer (Eric) Kieding, Ballard, CA; and Jason (Niky) Collinsworth, Lynwood, WA; two great-granddaughters, Jordan and Emily Kieding, Ballard, CA; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Preceding him in death were his parents, brother William; and his wife Clare.
Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Peter's Catholic Church on Tuesday, March 25, 2014, at 11:00 a.m.
Visitation will begin at 5:00 p.m. on Monday, March 24, 2014, with Rosary at 6:30 p.m. and the Vigil at 7:00 p.m. There will be an hour of visitation prior to the service on Tuesday.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Anaconda Pintler Hospice, Butte Catholic Education Fund or charity of donor's choice.
Visitation
MAR 24. 5:00 PM - 6:30 PM (MDT)
St. Peter's Catholic Church4th St. and Alder St.
Anaconda, MT 59711
Rosary
MAR 24. 6:30 PM - 7:00 PM (MDT)
St. Peter's Catholic Church4th St. and Alder St.
Anaconda, MT 59711
Vigil
MAR 24. 7:00 PM (MDT)
St. Peter's Catholic Church4th St. and Alder St.
Anaconda, MT 59711
Mass of Christian Burial
MAR 25. 11:00 AM (MDT)
St. Peter's Catholic Church4th St. and Alder St.
Anaconda, MT 59711
Graveside Service
MAR 25. 12:30 PM (MDT)
New Hill CemeteryAnaconda, MT 59711
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