Joseph Harold Durnan
MECHANICSBURG, Pa. - Joseph Harold Durnan
passed away peacefully on January 31, 2006, in Mechanicsburg, PA, five days before his 100th birthday.
He was born in Newport on February 5, 1906 to Annie Sullivan and Michael Durnan, and baptized in St. Mary's Church.
His sister, Alice Durnan, and brother, Henry L. "Mickey" Durnan, predeceased him.
Mr. Durnan grew up in the Fifth Ward, where he lived until moving to Brooklyn, NY at the age of twenty. There he met and married Mary Elizabeth Boylan. The Durnans later moved to Rockville Centre, NY, where they lived until Mrs. Durnan's death in 1998. Since that time, Mr. Durnan has resided at Messiah Village, Mechanicsburg, PA. After a long career with the New York Telephone Company, Mr. Durnan retired in 1970. Though he spent a good part of his life away from the City by the Sea, in his heart, Mr. Durnan remained a son of Newport. His love of Newport animated his wonderful stories of growing up here, and, in later years, of returning for family visits on the Fall River boats. These home stories gave his children an enduring sense of connection to Newport and to their forebearers who came to the City in the 1870s. In anticipation of Mr. Durnan's 100th birthday, Mayor John J. Trifero graciously proclaimed February 5th as Joseph Harold Durnan Day in the city of Newport.
Mr. Durnan is survived by his children and their spouses, a son, Dr. J. Richard Durnan and Carlyne, a daughter, Ms. M. Alice Cassidy and Daniel, a son, Mr. Paul Durnan and Sherry, a daughter, Ms. Elizabeth A. Howerton and Elwood, and a son, Mr. R. Emmett Durnan and Christie Lynn. Additionally, Mr. Durnan is survived by 20 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren.
Mr. Durnan's life was celebrated at a Mass of Christian burial at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Church in Mechanicsburg, followed by a gathering of nearly 100 relatives and friends. Mr. Durnan will be interred next to his wife at Holy Rood Cemetery on Long Island.
Memorial contributions in Mr. Durnan's memory may be made to Little Flower Children's Home, N. Wading River Road, Wading River, NY 11792.
MECHANICSBURG, Pa. - Joseph Harold Durnan
passed away peacefully on January 31, 2006, in Mechanicsburg, PA, five days before his 100th birthday.
He was born in Newport on February 5, 1906 to Annie Sullivan and Michael Durnan, and baptized in St. Mary's Church.
His sister, Alice Durnan, and brother, Henry L. "Mickey" Durnan, predeceased him.
Mr. Durnan grew up in the Fifth Ward, where he lived until moving to Brooklyn, NY at the age of twenty. There he met and married Mary Elizabeth Boylan. The Durnans later moved to Rockville Centre, NY, where they lived until Mrs. Durnan's death in 1998. Since that time, Mr. Durnan has resided at Messiah Village, Mechanicsburg, PA. After a long career with the New York Telephone Company, Mr. Durnan retired in 1970. Though he spent a good part of his life away from the City by the Sea, in his heart, Mr. Durnan remained a son of Newport. His love of Newport animated his wonderful stories of growing up here, and, in later years, of returning for family visits on the Fall River boats. These home stories gave his children an enduring sense of connection to Newport and to their forebearers who came to the City in the 1870s. In anticipation of Mr. Durnan's 100th birthday, Mayor John J. Trifero graciously proclaimed February 5th as Joseph Harold Durnan Day in the city of Newport.
Mr. Durnan is survived by his children and their spouses, a son, Dr. J. Richard Durnan and Carlyne, a daughter, Ms. M. Alice Cassidy and Daniel, a son, Mr. Paul Durnan and Sherry, a daughter, Ms. Elizabeth A. Howerton and Elwood, and a son, Mr. R. Emmett Durnan and Christie Lynn. Additionally, Mr. Durnan is survived by 20 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren.
Mr. Durnan's life was celebrated at a Mass of Christian burial at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Church in Mechanicsburg, followed by a gathering of nearly 100 relatives and friends. Mr. Durnan will be interred next to his wife at Holy Rood Cemetery on Long Island.
Memorial contributions in Mr. Durnan's memory may be made to Little Flower Children's Home, N. Wading River Road, Wading River, NY 11792.