Official Obituary of
Edward F. Durkin
July 6, 1929 ~ December 21, 2015 (age 86) 86 Years Old
Edward Durkin Obituary
Edward F. Durkin
Long time Anaconda native, educator, coach and patriarch, Edward F. Durkin passed away in the presence of family on December 21, 2015, at St. James Hospital, Butte. Ed was born July 6, 1929, at the family home in Anaconda, the youngest of 6 boys born to Martha (Schmidt) and John "Salem" Durkin. Martha and Salem proudly raised their family in Anaconda's venerable Goosetown neighborhood. Ed and his older brothers James, Patrick, William, Jack and Thomas grew up on east 4th Street in a one bedroom structure, located near the alley. Their home was in the heart of Goosetown, across from the Bryan school and east of St. Peter's church where they were members.
Ed loved sports and was a fierce competitor. He fondly recalled football, baseball, and basketball games in the neighborhood, all frequently occurring the same day, regardless of season. He became an accomplished football player and was a contributing member to Anaconda's 1944 State Championship team and helped develop players on the 1948 State championship team. He frequently recalled the guiding principles instilled in him by his coach Mike O'Leary. He graduated from Anaconda High in 1948 and earned a football scholarship to Western Montana College. Ed was the first family member to attend college. He also played baseball, and was in chorale, drama and French clubs. He was selected all conference lineman on multiple occasions and help lead the Bulldogs to two Conference titles and an undefeated season. In 1980, he was inducted into UM Western's sports Hall of Fame.
Ed knew the importance of hard work and secured a job at a local dairy at age 12, and worked early every morning through high school. During college he worked summers at the Anaconda Co. smelter and the BA&P railroad. He graduated from Western in 1952, taught 5th grade for two years in Sutherlin, OR, and returned to Anaconda where he taught 5th grade another 33 years. He retired in 1989 after completing 35 years of teaching. Ed took teaching seriously, he wore a coat and tie every day and loved helping students. He respected and admired his fellow teachers, and was proud to be a Montana educator.
In early 1957, he met Rosemary ("Rosie") Sullivan of Butte, she was an OB-Gyn nurse and instructor at St. James hospital. Rosie captured Ed's heart and happily accepted his proposal of a lifetime of love and devotion. They were married June 6, 1957, at St. Patrick's church in Butte and celebrated 50 years of wedded bliss in 2007, just months before Rosie passed away. Ed and Rosie raised their five children (Clarice, Maureen, Patrick, Timothy and Mark) in a nurturing Irish Catholic environment.
Ed also loved music and the arts. He had a booming voice and was an accomplished crooner. He received an audition for Lawrence Welk in college and sang in church choirs, chorales, at weddings, funerals, school - community programs, special events and with the Montana Chorale that toured Europe in 1998 and performed at the Vatican.
Ed and Rosie believed in public service and were active in their community. Ed served in the Montana National Guard (after enlistment was rejected for the Korean war due to poor eyesight), he was a Boy Scout Master, a member of the Knights of Columbus, the Kiwanis, the Elks, St. Peter's Choir, Anaconda's Chorale, a RCIA instructor and participant in many Catholic retreats, including the first in-custody cursillo held at Montana's State Prison. Ed served on Anaconda's Catholic Parish Council, was an officer in the Teacher's Union and a past-President of the Retired Teachers Association. Ed volunteered at Anaconda's juvenile detention facility and helped many other service organizations.
Ed coached football and wrestling for many years in Anaconda. He helped establish Anaconda's AAU wrestling program and Dillon's first junior football program. He organized Anaconda's elementary schools' annual spring planting of thousands of trees on the A-Hill, a community benefit from his association with the U.S. Forest Service for whom he worked more than 20 summers as a fire fighter and recreation ranger at campgrounds west of Anaconda.
Ed was an open, engaging and gracious gentleman. He could strike up a conversation with anyone and developed friends quickly. He had a compliment and encouraging word for all he met, which noble gift he shared freely til the very end.
Following retirement, Ed worked many years as an attendant - driver for Longfellow Finnegan funeral home, where he helped comfort grieving families and friends during difficult times.
Ed dearly loved Rosie, his family, relatives and friends. He will be terribly missed, but forever fondly remembered.
He is preceded in death by his parents Salem and Martha; his brothers and in-laws, Jimmy Durkin, Pat and Clara Bess Durkin, Jack and Christine Durkin, William and Louise Durkin, Thomas Durkin, John T. Sullivan, and Joe and Patsy Floreen; nephews, Rev. Ernest Floreen (Butte) and Bruce Durkin (Monett, MO). Ed is survived by his children and their spouses, Clarice (Bill) Fischer of Missoula, Maureen (Don) Tweedy and Patrick Durkin of Anaconda, Timothy (Lisette Carter) Durkin of Spokane, and Mark Durkin, Anaconda; Grandchildren, Benjamin Sparrow, Seamus Tweedy, William, Amanda, Elizabeth and Joanna Fischer, Kyle Durkin, Matthew, Carter and Lisette Durkin; Sisters in-law Marjorie Durkin and Shirley Sullivan of Butte; Nieces and nephews, Patricia Witcher, Kansas City, Colleen Durkin, Kansas City, Jimmy Durkin, Monett, MO, Marianne (Durkin) Witt, Purdy, MO, Joe (Laurel) Durkin, Santa Rosa, CA, Moneen and Mary Durkin, Sun City, Terry, John, and Daniel Durkin of Anaconda, Janelle Durkin, Butte, Marjorie Durkin, Edmonds, WA, Dan (Kate) Durkin, Bellevue, WA, Thomas Durkin, Butte, Michael (Valerie) Durkin, Atlanta, Rick Schmidt, Tucson, Mark (Judy) Sullivan, Billings, John (Sandy) Sullivan, Anaconda, Joanne Sullivan, Butte, Tom Sullivan, Spokane, Michael and Patrick Sullivan, Butte, Cheryl Floreen, Idaho Falls, Joe (Brenda) Floreen, Butte; Great grandchildren Reilly Durkin and Jaxson Tweedy; and numerous other relatives. Ed is further survived by many close personal and family friends, which he and Rosie considered part of their larger Durkin-Sullivan family.
The family extends its appreciation to the many Butte and Anaconda medical professionals that provided nurturing care and assistance to Ed these past years.
In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to the donor's choice or to the Edward F. Durkin Memorial Scholarship fund. To donate, please contact Southwest Montana Community Federal Credit Union, Anaconda, (406) 563-8484.
Visitation will begin at 6:00 p.m. on Friday, January 8, 2015, at St. Peter's Catholic Church, Anaconda, with the Vigil Service beginning at 7:00 p.m. Mass of the Resurrection will be at 1:00 p.m., Saturday, January 9, 2015, at St. Peter's Church with one hour of visitation prior to the service. Per request, cremation has taken place and private interment will occur later.
4th St. and Alder St.
Anaconda, MT 59711
4th St. and Alder St.
Anaconda, MT 59711
4th St. and Alder St.
Anaconda, MT 59711
Long time Anaconda native, educator, coach and patriarch, Edward F. Durkin passed away in the presence of family on December 21, 2015, at St. James Hospital, Butte. Ed was born July 6, 1929, at the family home in Anaconda, the youngest of 6 boys born to Martha (Schmidt) and John "Salem" Durkin. Martha and Salem proudly raised their family in Anaconda's venerable Goosetown neighborhood. Ed and his older brothers James, Patrick, William, Jack and Thomas grew up on east 4th Street in a one bedroom structure, located near the alley. Their home was in the heart of Goosetown, across from the Bryan school and east of St. Peter's church where they were members.
Ed loved sports and was a fierce competitor. He fondly recalled football, baseball, and basketball games in the neighborhood, all frequently occurring the same day, regardless of season. He became an accomplished football player and was a contributing member to Anaconda's 1944 State Championship team and helped develop players on the 1948 State championship team. He frequently recalled the guiding principles instilled in him by his coach Mike O'Leary. He graduated from Anaconda High in 1948 and earned a football scholarship to Western Montana College. Ed was the first family member to attend college. He also played baseball, and was in chorale, drama and French clubs. He was selected all conference lineman on multiple occasions and help lead the Bulldogs to two Conference titles and an undefeated season. In 1980, he was inducted into UM Western's sports Hall of Fame.
Ed knew the importance of hard work and secured a job at a local dairy at age 12, and worked early every morning through high school. During college he worked summers at the Anaconda Co. smelter and the BA&P railroad. He graduated from Western in 1952, taught 5th grade for two years in Sutherlin, OR, and returned to Anaconda where he taught 5th grade another 33 years. He retired in 1989 after completing 35 years of teaching. Ed took teaching seriously, he wore a coat and tie every day and loved helping students. He respected and admired his fellow teachers, and was proud to be a Montana educator.
In early 1957, he met Rosemary ("Rosie") Sullivan of Butte, she was an OB-Gyn nurse and instructor at St. James hospital. Rosie captured Ed's heart and happily accepted his proposal of a lifetime of love and devotion. They were married June 6, 1957, at St. Patrick's church in Butte and celebrated 50 years of wedded bliss in 2007, just months before Rosie passed away. Ed and Rosie raised their five children (Clarice, Maureen, Patrick, Timothy and Mark) in a nurturing Irish Catholic environment.
Ed also loved music and the arts. He had a booming voice and was an accomplished crooner. He received an audition for Lawrence Welk in college and sang in church choirs, chorales, at weddings, funerals, school - community programs, special events and with the Montana Chorale that toured Europe in 1998 and performed at the Vatican.
Ed and Rosie believed in public service and were active in their community. Ed served in the Montana National Guard (after enlistment was rejected for the Korean war due to poor eyesight), he was a Boy Scout Master, a member of the Knights of Columbus, the Kiwanis, the Elks, St. Peter's Choir, Anaconda's Chorale, a RCIA instructor and participant in many Catholic retreats, including the first in-custody cursillo held at Montana's State Prison. Ed served on Anaconda's Catholic Parish Council, was an officer in the Teacher's Union and a past-President of the Retired Teachers Association. Ed volunteered at Anaconda's juvenile detention facility and helped many other service organizations.
Ed coached football and wrestling for many years in Anaconda. He helped establish Anaconda's AAU wrestling program and Dillon's first junior football program. He organized Anaconda's elementary schools' annual spring planting of thousands of trees on the A-Hill, a community benefit from his association with the U.S. Forest Service for whom he worked more than 20 summers as a fire fighter and recreation ranger at campgrounds west of Anaconda.
Ed was an open, engaging and gracious gentleman. He could strike up a conversation with anyone and developed friends quickly. He had a compliment and encouraging word for all he met, which noble gift he shared freely til the very end.
Following retirement, Ed worked many years as an attendant - driver for Longfellow Finnegan funeral home, where he helped comfort grieving families and friends during difficult times.
Ed dearly loved Rosie, his family, relatives and friends. He will be terribly missed, but forever fondly remembered.
He is preceded in death by his parents Salem and Martha; his brothers and in-laws, Jimmy Durkin, Pat and Clara Bess Durkin, Jack and Christine Durkin, William and Louise Durkin, Thomas Durkin, John T. Sullivan, and Joe and Patsy Floreen; nephews, Rev. Ernest Floreen (Butte) and Bruce Durkin (Monett, MO). Ed is survived by his children and their spouses, Clarice (Bill) Fischer of Missoula, Maureen (Don) Tweedy and Patrick Durkin of Anaconda, Timothy (Lisette Carter) Durkin of Spokane, and Mark Durkin, Anaconda; Grandchildren, Benjamin Sparrow, Seamus Tweedy, William, Amanda, Elizabeth and Joanna Fischer, Kyle Durkin, Matthew, Carter and Lisette Durkin; Sisters in-law Marjorie Durkin and Shirley Sullivan of Butte; Nieces and nephews, Patricia Witcher, Kansas City, Colleen Durkin, Kansas City, Jimmy Durkin, Monett, MO, Marianne (Durkin) Witt, Purdy, MO, Joe (Laurel) Durkin, Santa Rosa, CA, Moneen and Mary Durkin, Sun City, Terry, John, and Daniel Durkin of Anaconda, Janelle Durkin, Butte, Marjorie Durkin, Edmonds, WA, Dan (Kate) Durkin, Bellevue, WA, Thomas Durkin, Butte, Michael (Valerie) Durkin, Atlanta, Rick Schmidt, Tucson, Mark (Judy) Sullivan, Billings, John (Sandy) Sullivan, Anaconda, Joanne Sullivan, Butte, Tom Sullivan, Spokane, Michael and Patrick Sullivan, Butte, Cheryl Floreen, Idaho Falls, Joe (Brenda) Floreen, Butte; Great grandchildren Reilly Durkin and Jaxson Tweedy; and numerous other relatives. Ed is further survived by many close personal and family friends, which he and Rosie considered part of their larger Durkin-Sullivan family.
The family extends its appreciation to the many Butte and Anaconda medical professionals that provided nurturing care and assistance to Ed these past years.
In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to the donor's choice or to the Edward F. Durkin Memorial Scholarship fund. To donate, please contact Southwest Montana Community Federal Credit Union, Anaconda, (406) 563-8484.
Visitation will begin at 6:00 p.m. on Friday, January 8, 2015, at St. Peter's Catholic Church, Anaconda, with the Vigil Service beginning at 7:00 p.m. Mass of the Resurrection will be at 1:00 p.m., Saturday, January 9, 2015, at St. Peter's Church with one hour of visitation prior to the service. Per request, cremation has taken place and private interment will occur later.
Visitation
JAN 8. 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM (MST)
St. Peter's Catholic Church4th St. and Alder St.
Anaconda, MT 59711
Vigil
JAN 8. 7:00 PM (MST)
St. Peter's Catholic Church4th St. and Alder St.
Anaconda, MT 59711
Mass of Christian Burial
JAN 9. 1:00 PM (MST)
St. Peter's Catholic Church4th St. and Alder St.
Anaconda, MT 59711
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