Frank Durkin, 91, of Lancaster, passed away on August 5, 2020 at Legend of Lititz. Born in Villaba, Puerto Rico, he was the son of the late John Sidney and Justa Lopez Ortiz. Frank was the husband of Elsie Louise (Johnson) Durkin with whom he celebrated 63 years of marriage. Elsie preceded Frank in death on September 3, 2014.
Frank was known for his friendly demeanor and loved to talk and joke. He would often start a conversation with total strangers and could always get a laugh with his dry sense of humor and stories.
Family was Frank's top priority and he worked hard to stay connected with his siblings and relatives. Frank was a role model for family and friends and was admired by his relatives as being a caring patriarch.
Frank made the journey by ship to New York City in 1947 after the death of his parents. He worked delivering paintings for collectors and as a lab assistant at Columbia University where he met the love of his life, Elsie Johnson. Frank was drafted into the army in 1951-1953 during the Korean War, where he served as an operating room technician. Frank retired from his job as Director of Social Services at Roosevelt Hospital in Edison, New Jersey. Frank was active in the community and developed addiction recovery programs at the hospital. He was also affiliated with the Social Work department at Rutgers University.
Frank is survived by his daughter Carmelie Durkin Rank, wife of William Rank, his son Rick (Richard) Durkin and his grandchildren, Brian Francis Rank and Jessica Miriam Rank. Frank was preceded in death by his siblings Carmen Gloria (Carmelie) Fortson, Edwardo Lee Durkin, Juan Felix Durkin, Catherine Durkin, Consuelo Durkin Richardson, Helen Durkin Sheppard, and Walter Edwin Durkin.
A graveside service at Indiantown Gap National Cemetery, Annville, will be held in the spring. www.kleefuneralhome.com
Cemetery Information
Indiantown Gap National Cemetery
Address:
Indiantown Gap Road
Annville, PA 17003
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