Robert M. Durkee
November 8, 1926 — July 30, 2018
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Robert M. Durkee
Rev. Robert M. Durkee of Nashua NH passed away peacefully on July 30th, having lived a full and meaningful life. He was born on November 8, 1926 to Elizabeth and Melvin Durkee, and grew up in Belmont, Massachusetts. He is survived by his sister, Elizabeth Lehr of Peabody MA. His sister Ruth Jones predeceased him.
His first wife, Diane (Butters) Durkee, predeceased him in 1998. He is survived by his beloved wife, Elaine (Foster) Durkee, his faithful companion to the end. He leaves his children, Sandra (Durkee) Rigazio of Goffstown NH, and Scott M. Durkee of Medford MA, and his grandchildren, Krista (Durkee) Collette and Michael Durkee. He will also be missed by his step-children, Kristen Quimby, Kerry Ellis and Karen Ewell, and his step-grandchildren, Amethyst, Kyle and Cooper.
Bob joined the Navy at 17 and fought in World War II in the South Pacific. He fought in Okinawa, and it was during his experiences on board an ammunitions ship that he received his call to serve in the ministry. He served in three branches of the service; the Navy, the Air Force, and he retired as a Brigadier General from the Yankee Division of the Army Reserves. For many years, he was the Chaplain for the Ancient and Honorable Artillery Company of Massachusetts. He had also served as State Military Chaplain for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
He attended Tufts University and Boston University Theological School, and was ordained as a Methodist pastor, eventually serving parishes in Franklin and Lynn Massachusetts. For two summers, he worked as a counselor at a Refugee Camp in France for orphans after the war. It was one of his treasured experiences.
In 1963, he returned to seminary to become an Episcopal priest. He then served as Rector of Grace Episcopal Church in Medford Massachusetts from 1964 until his retirement in 1989.
Father Durkee's funeral service will be held on Saturday, August 4th, 2018 at 11:00 AM at Grace Episcopal Church, 160 High Street, Medford, MA 02155. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to Doctors Without Borders, or the charity of your choice.
His first wife, Diane (Butters) Durkee, predeceased him in 1998. He is survived by his beloved wife, Elaine (Foster) Durkee, his faithful companion to the end. He leaves his children, Sandra (Durkee) Rigazio of Goffstown NH, and Scott M. Durkee of Medford MA, and his grandchildren, Krista (Durkee) Collette and Michael Durkee. He will also be missed by his step-children, Kristen Quimby, Kerry Ellis and Karen Ewell, and his step-grandchildren, Amethyst, Kyle and Cooper.
Bob joined the Navy at 17 and fought in World War II in the South Pacific. He fought in Okinawa, and it was during his experiences on board an ammunitions ship that he received his call to serve in the ministry. He served in three branches of the service; the Navy, the Air Force, and he retired as a Brigadier General from the Yankee Division of the Army Reserves. For many years, he was the Chaplain for the Ancient and Honorable Artillery Company of Massachusetts. He had also served as State Military Chaplain for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
He attended Tufts University and Boston University Theological School, and was ordained as a Methodist pastor, eventually serving parishes in Franklin and Lynn Massachusetts. For two summers, he worked as a counselor at a Refugee Camp in France for orphans after the war. It was one of his treasured experiences.
In 1963, he returned to seminary to become an Episcopal priest. He then served as Rector of Grace Episcopal Church in Medford Massachusetts from 1964 until his retirement in 1989.
Father Durkee's funeral service will be held on Saturday, August 4th, 2018 at 11:00 AM at Grace Episcopal Church, 160 High Street, Medford, MA 02155. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to Doctors Without Borders, or the charity of your choice.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Robert M. Durkee, please visit our flower store.
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