Honor Thy Father

[Dennis J Durkin]

My Dad

April 18, 2007

We as people are funny. Two of the most insincere phrases that we use are: “I do not care what others think” and “Don’t make a fuss”. Tom Durkin loved a big fuss and he would have loved this fuss being made here today over him.

I would like to thank everyone for coming here today as we celebrate his life.

This is not a good bye. His being is pressed into our minds and with us his family, into our blood. A small touch of immortality.

Tom Durkin was a good man. He was sincere and compassionate. He stood for fairness. He stood for decency. He was loyal to a fault to his family, his friends, and his faith. He taught my brothers, my sister, and myself, that just because something was legal that it did not make it right. He always told us to stand up for what was right.

When someone from his family, his friends, or his parish needed a hand, he always had his hand up first. It was indeed one of his most endearing qualities.

My Dad really struggled over the last five years with Parkinson’s disease. Two years ago in February, I remember standing over his bed at a hospital in Atlanta and silently pleading with him to fight. My motives were selfish. I wanted my last memories of him to be fighting for every last drop of life. I wanted him to leave a legacy for us, his family, that he stared death in the eye and fought back.

Today he leaves us a great legacy of courage and determination. He left nothing on the field. He could have easily caved in and no one would have blamed him at all.

He had answered my silent prayer said that day at his bedside.

My Dad is a member of “America’s Greatest Generation”. They grew up humble, worked hard, sacrificed often, and traded the second half of their adolescence to defend their country in World War II. These men defined the word “team”.

They did not complain. They did what they had to do. What was forged in those difficult years were friendships that would last a lifetime. To all his Army buddies here today and to all who have passed before him, on behalf of my family, I would like to publicly thank you for the support that you have shown my Dad over these last five years. He cherished your friendship and camaraderie. He loved each and every one of you.

My Dad taught us all through example to always carry your share of the load. Do your job and make your family proud.

My Dad and Mom laid the groundwork for us their children to enjoy the American Dream. A dream which started with a spark in my Grandfather’s mind over 100 years ago in Ireland. He was extremely proud of the accomplishments of his children. As a matter of fact, please do not ask any of us what we truly do for living, God only knows what he had told you already.

My Dad understood that the strength of the Chain was more important than any individual link.

When our time here on earth is complete, we will all be remembered and judged by whether we made our chain stronger or weaker.

My Dad devoted his life to making his Chain stronger.

Dad,

Your mission has been accomplished. The Chain is strong. It is time for you to rest. We will take it from here.

I challenge each and every member of our Chain to continue Dad’s work and make the Chain stronger. It is the greatest measure of love and respect that can be paid to our Dad and your grandfather.

Dad

We will miss you. But we can never forget you. The Chain connects us all in mind, body, and soul forever. We pledge to pay all of your hard work and sacrifice forward and keep the Chain strong.

By the way, if you and Grand Pop are flying around once in a while and see we could use a little help keeping the Chain strong, we wouldn’t mind you stopping in and giving us a gentle nudge in the right direction.

We love you. Get some rest. We will see you soon.

Thomas M. Durkin

December 14, 1923 to April 15, 2007

Dennis J. Durkin

[Kathy DeAngelo]

Hi Dan: I was very moved by your tribute to your father. Not a day goes by that I don't think of my father. There's so much around that reminds me of him. My father was a pretty good musician--could play anything--and it's from him I got a real deep love of music and just wanted to always play with other people. He enjoyed doing that so much. He died on March 8 so every year when I get ready to play a lot of gigs in the run up to St. Patrick's Day, he's never far away in my thoughts.

[Denise]

This is so touching! Your Dad would be so proud!

[Marianne MacDonald]

What a lovely tribute to your dad! I lost my father two years ago, yesterday, and not a day goes by that I don't think of him, talk to him and remember all of the things he taught me. You're right about their generation, they grew up during the depression and knew the value of family, hard work and giving back to the community. So many of these things have gone by the wayside in our generation. Thank you for sharing this lovely post!