Michael Durkin

Mike Durkin, the man, the myth, the legend, the famous papa, father, and husband died in his Rutland home on Friday, December 6th. He will be deeply missed by all.

Known for being an accomplished traveler, environmentalist, self-taught handyman, photographer, and furniture maker; he was also a walking encyclopedia and music enthusiast. He was a lover of all fine foods and as a self-taught chef, he reveled in describing every morsel. He could match talented chefs in replicating a fine dining experience, delighted in sharing his dinner table, and enjoyed sharing tall tales of his exploits.

Even with all those titles, one of his favorites was “Papa” to his young grandsons, Benjamin and Josiah. He took pride in teaching them how to cook, stocking their toolboxes, teaching them the tools of each trade, and loved talking shop with his little apprentices.

He graduated from UVM and Vermont State University where he earned a Master’s degree, was a registered nurse, a patient safety program manager, a clinical consultant for various medical centers, and recently retired from the Veterans Administration. Mike served as a Red Cross Disaster Nurse and was a volunteer firefighter with the Grantham New Hampshire Fire Department.

Mike leaves his beloved wife Bonny, their daughter Danielle, and his grandsons Benjamin, Josiah, and his dogs, Kody and Wyatt. Michael grew up in Rutland with five younger sisters, Gail, Julie, Kathy, Lynne, and Donna. In Rutland, at UVM, and across the globe, Mike enjoyed an extensive and eclectic network of loving family, friends, and colleagues.

Mike loved his home state of Vermont more than most. His love of photography, cold weather, deer camp, rugby, movies, books, vinyl records, and a fine malted bourbon was known by many. He filled his life with knowledge, adventure, laughter, and fun and passed on this legacy to his cherished daughter, Danielle.

Mike appreciated talented and intelligent women; he was blessed to find and marry one of the most beautiful, his wife of 37 years, Bonny. He loved their Wednesday date nights in Florida at Jetty Park Pier watching the ships sail in and out. While he loved Vermont, the beauty of Ogunquit, Maine remained deep in his heart. Many days were spent with Bonny walking the shore, and then sharing morning coffee while watching the sun rise over the ocean waves.

Mike was a man who enjoyed antiquing with Bonny and would drive three hours just to get a hotdog. You see, it was essential to serve up a lesson with the hot dog... He made sure to teach you the difference regarding what made the best kind of hot dog experience which is as follows; a natural casing all-beef dog, grilled to perfection, nestled in a toasted and buttered bun, and topped with stone ground mustard.

Mike was a colorful raconteur and if you don’t know what that is, he would tell you to “go look it up”. Language and vocabulary were exemplified in his tales and propensity for highlighting some of the more MacGyver-like memories of his past. We will think of him often with each retelling of his adventures and our shared stories. Thank you to Mike’s lifelong friends, for they have shared many memories of “this young buck”.

“Tomorrow hopes that we have learned something from yesterday” - John Wayne

A celebration of Mike’s life will take place in the spring.

Arrangements are under the direction of Clifford Funeral Home