William A. Durkin, Jr., age 85, passed away peacefully, on July 6, 2013 at Greenwich Hospital with his family by his side. He was born January 29, 1928 to William A. Durkin and Margaret Durkin, graduated from the University of Notre Dame in 1949, with a degree in civil engineering, and served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War. Following his discharge, he joined the Walsh Construction Company, where he spent his entire career building paper mills, tunnels, bridges, nuclear power plants, military bases and other projects throughout the United States and abroad. He was particularly proud of his family's long association with the Walsh Construction Company which his father joined in 1914.
Both prior to and following retirement, Bill volunteered his engineering expertise to many non-profit organizations, guiding projects for St. Michael's Church, Brunswick School, Greenwich Hospital, and Stepping Stones Museum, to name a few. He served on several non-profit boards and chaired the Brunswick School Board of Trustees in the 1980's. In recent years, he enjoyed giving his time to serving residents at the St. Camillus Nursing Home in Stamford. Although he traveled extensively for work, volunteerism and service at home played a large role in his life which he impressed on each of his sons.
An athlete, Bill's interest in team sports, whether as a participant or observer, were exceeded only by his love of golf, fly-fishing and skiing, each of which he excelled at and spent countless hours teaching his sons and grandchildren. He could shoot his age, coax a trout to a dry fly and, as recently as February, was skiing in Vermont. He was a member of the Greenwich Country Club, Ekwanok Country Club and the Beaverkill Trout Club.
A true gentleman, mentor and friend to many, Bill leaves behind his wife of nearly 60 years, Ginny, sons Bill, Patrick, Tim, Tom and Dan; daughters in law Martha, Kristen, Liz, Sue and Susan, and fifteen grandchildren.
A funeral mass will be held at St. Michael's Church, Greenwich, Connecticut, on July 11 at 1:00 p.m. There will not be calling hours.
Bill's family requests, that in lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Cancer Research Institute (in memory of William A. Durkin, Jr.), 55 Broadway, Suite 1802, New York, NY 10006, or the William B. Nollman Memorial Caddy Scholarship Fund, c/o the Greenwich Country Club.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
July 13, 2013
Suzie Wall
To Ginny and Durkin Family - So sorry to learn of Bill's passing - He was my brick to lean on after Uncle Douggie's passing and I can now picture the two of them in one of God's gardens giving their solid advice. What a wonderful and sincere gentleman. God is happy Bill is with him. However, I will miss him!
Suzie Wall
July 11, 2013
Sondra Rudy
Dear Ginny,
What wonderful memories we share from those years which seem so long ago. I am so sorry for your loss. You and the boys have had a great husband and father who will live on in your memories. May God continue to bless you all.
July 11, 2013
Heather Cohan
To all of the Durkin Family,
So sorry to hear of Bill's passing. We have such wonderful memories of him at the Durkin farm... Our thoughts & prayers with all of you.
Tim & Heather Cohan
July 11, 2013
Dora De Andrade
Dear Durkin family, please accept our condolences. St Joseph Religious Education program was blessed with Bill generosity and dedication.
The entire family will be in our prayer.
July 10, 2013
Dear Ginny and Family, We join with so many others who have known you and Bill in expressing our sorrow for your profound loss. Bill was universally respected and admired, and always had a kind word and a generous smile. We were fortunate to have known him, and he was fortunate in having you as his loving partner.
Sincerely, Steve and Chris Thurlow
July 10, 2013
To the Durkin Family,
Please accept my most heartfelt condolences. Mr. Durkin was certainly a sincere and giving gentleman who will be missed by many people in different walks of life. I can't think of many people who are as self effacing while being as substantial a contributor as he was.
Most sincerely,
Adriaan Schieferdecker
July 10, 2013
JoAnn and Ron Miller
Dear Ginny and family....our love and prayers are with you all...it was an honor to call Bill our friend..we treasured our friendship and he will be missed..May he rest with his Lord..
July 10, 2013
Jim/Kathleen Murdoch
Dear Ginny and family; Sorry to hear about the loss of Bill. We always looked forward to his Christmas call and go over old times spent on construction jobs with IP. We will keep you in our prayers during this time of sorrow. Kathleen and Jim (Murdoch)
July 10, 2013
Dear Ginny, Our hearts are with you. We will fondly remember the happy times with you both at The 200 Club golfing adventures.
With love, Cindy and Michael Roberts
July 10, 2013
David Pivirotto
To the Entire Durkin Family, Our thoughts and prayers are with you and know how much your Dad will be missed. He was a great man. David Pivirotto and family.
July 9, 2013
Hi Durkin family. I just received news of your dads passing. The whole Goeller family sends their deepest sympathies. Your dad was a special man. I will enjoy all the great memories as neighbors and friends.
John Goeller
July 9, 2013
"Dear Ginny and family, Thank you for contacting me. Nan and I are so sorry for your loss. As a friend and classmate for some 67 or 68 years, there are so many thoughts and memories that can be recalled from the aged brain. I cherish them as I do the visits over the years, from the overnight train rides on The Pacemaker to and from ND to the lunches in Florida. We know that the Lord has set a place for him at His heavenly table. God bless you and your sons and families. Sincerely, Don and Nan Jost
July 9, 2013
Mary Beth 'MB' Farrell-Kirkpatrick
Dear Ginny and family,
So sorry to hear of Bill's death. He surely left his footprint here on earth for us to follow. A true gentleman!
Heaven has another SPECIAL Angel.
God's blessings to you all.
July 9, 2013
Charlie Daugherty
Dear Durkin Family,
Bill will be remembered for the foundation he and Ginny built that is the rock on which your family stands. How proud he must have been to see his family thrive in their lives and be surrounded by grandchildren. Fulfillment, happy and a wonderful sense of humor. Our thoughts and prayers are with you as you celebrate his life. With sincerest condolences, Charlie and Karen Daugherty
July 9, 2013
George Poillon
Dear Ginny and family. I was sorry to read in the GT about Bill. He was a wonderful man, and will be deeply missed by all his family and friends. I have fond memories of the St Michaels picnics that we all used to
attend. I will remember Bill and all of you in my prayers. Sincerely, George M.Poillon, jr
July 9, 2013
Mike Loughran Jr.
To the Durkin Family,
So sorry to hear of your loss. Bill and my Dad became great friends while Bill was volunteering at St. Joseph's in Trumbull. No doubt they are together again.
July 9, 2013
Thank you for your service to our country & protecting us in time of war.
A grateful American
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