James P. Durkin

James Patrick Durkin “The Coach” passed away on Friday, January 19, 2018 at the age of 79. James was born July 21, 1938 in Brooklyn, New York to the late Patrick James Durkin and the late Mary Josephine (McCauley) Durkin. Raised in Brooklyn, James graduated from Fort Hamilton High School. After graduation he enlisted in the Army and following his service he received an Honorable discharge. James began his career with the City of New York as a police officer in 1960 and in 1963 transferred to the FDNY, where he rose thru the ranks to the level of Lieutenant. 30 years with the FDNY James was a Lieutenant for the last 20 at Engine 201 in Brooklyn. Jim was also a High School and College Soccer Referee for almost 20 years. Residing in Eltingville from 1969 to 1993, James Retired from the FDNY and moved down to the Jersey Shore. He built a beautiful home on the water, where he enjoyed his well earned retirement cooking big dinners for family and friends that always included Broccoli Rabe. James loved coaching football with his sons, Jim and Ken, and enjoyed golfing with his son Ken every Sunday. In addition to coaching Jim loved spending time going out on his boat, playing shuffle board or a good game of Pool at the Elks’ Lodge, skiing, and traveling to places like Ireland, Aruba, St. Marten and various cruises. James selflessly volunteered his time to St Francis Parish, and will never be forgotten for doing small jobs for those that needed help. Among his many talents and attributes Jim will be remembered for his love of family and friends the most, He loved his children, grandchildren, sisters, brother nephews and nieces and many cousins, as well as his brothers in the FDNY especially group 16. He is survived by his children, James, and his wife, Christa and Kenneth, and his wife, Nancy; his siblings, Louise Gilhooley and Edward; his grandchildren, James, Julia, Caroline and Patrick, and his niece and nephews, Rory and Owen Gilhooley and Thomas, Edward and Christina Durkin. A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday at St Clare Church located at 110 Nelson Ave Staten Island, New York 10308. A private cremation will follow. The family will receive friends from 2-5 and 7-9 p.m. on Tuesday at The John Vincent Scalia Home For Funerals, Inc., 28 Eltingville Blvd. (at Eltingville Station), Staten Island, New York. James’s Family would like to thank the wonderful people at Meridian Bayshore and Meridian Hospice for their help and caring compassion throughout James’s illness, it will never be forgotten. If you would like to make donations in Memory of James, contributions may be made to: Uniformed Firefighters Association 204 East 23rd Street New York, NY 10010 C/O: The Thomas R. Elsasser Fund Please Make Checks Payable To: The Thomas R. Elsasser Fund Attention Sheila Pettit or Kathleen Ryan Or online @ http://www.ufanyc.org/funds/elsasser.php Or Alzheimer’s Association Online @ http://www.act.alz.org

James P. Durkin

July 21, 1938 - January 19, 2018