Brewster High School Graduate Dies at 82

 provided the following information:

James J. Durkin, age 82, of Carmel, and also of Hurley, passed away peacefully Saturday with his family by his side.

Durkin was born Oct. 2, 1929 to the late Andrew J. and Mary (O’Brien) Durkin. James was a graduate of  in 1947. He attended Fordham University and received a bachelor's degree in 1954. Durkin served in the U.S. Army for two years, ending in 1957.

Then, on June 27, 1959, he married the love of his life, Marian Fisher, in Lake Carmel. Marian pre-deceased him in 1996. James was a proud co-owner and operator of the family business, Durkin Fuel Co., in Brewster.

Durkin was a current lifetime member of the Putnam Hospital Center, and he was on the Foundation Board. He was formerly on the Board of Directors, and served as past president. He also was a member of the Knights of Columbus and the Elks.

Durkin, later in life, on Feb. 1, 2003, found love again and married Katharine Gaffken in Kingston. He had great faith, and was a member of the St. Joseph’s Parish in Kingston.

But most of all James will be remembered for is his strength, and his love and devotion to his family and friends. He is survived by his beloved wife, Katharine Gaffken Durkin of Hurley; his loving daughter, Tracy Durkin of Pawling; three step-children, Mary Jane Sullivan of Voorheesville, John Gaffken of Hurley and Eugene Gaffken of Paris; a brother, Andrew J. Durkin (Maureen) of Brewster; and his sister, Virginia (Joseph) Kaminski of Hingham, MA. He is also survived by several nieces and nephews.

A Mass of Christian Rite will celebrated at 11 a.m. on Wednesday at . Family will receive friends at the Joseph V. Leahy Funeral Home (27 Smith Ave, Kingston, NY, 12401, (845)-331-3272) from 3 to 6 p.m. on Monday and from 4 to 8 p.m. on Tuesday at the Beecher Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Durkin's memory may be sent to the Putnam Hospital Center or the American Cancer Society. He will be greatly missed.