Fred H. Durgin

HIRAM — Fred H. Durgin, 68, of King Street, died on Jan. 11, 2013, surrounded by family at the Fryeburg Health Care Center after a long illness. He was born in North Conway, N.H. on September 25, 1944, a son of Norman and Helen Gould Durgin. He attended local schools and graduated from Potter Academy in Sebago in 1962. He was very athletic in school and lettered in baseball, basketball, track and cross country. He attended Maine Teachers College in Gorham, and then proudly served in the US Navy from 1965 to 1969, as an aviation electronics trouble shooter on the USS Independence during the Vietnam War.

As a young man Fred worked for Wilbur Small in the carpentry business. He later worked 30 years for Moir Electric Co. in Denmark, starting in 1978. He had been a member of the Hiram Fire Department for over 50 years. He was a member of the Hartford-McLaughlin V.F.W. Post in Hiram and the American Legion West-Day Post in Kezar Falls. He was also a member of the Greenleaf Masonic Lodge # 117 in Cornish. He was a life member of the Norway-Paris Fish and Game Club as well as a member of several other fish and game clubs in the local area. He helped teach over 500 students in hunter's safety courses. Fred was also a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in Kezar Falls.

He enjoyed hunting and fishing when he could, and loved candlepin bowling and belonged to leagues in Kezar Falls and Fryeburg. Above all he loved spending time with his family, especially his grandchildren, whom he adored.

Besides his father, he was also predeceased by a sister, Lorraine Durgin.

Surviving are his mother, Helen Durgin of Hiram; two sons, Ryan Durgin and wife Robyn of Altoona, Pa.; and Eric Durgin of Hiram; one brother, Howard Durgin and wife Cindy of Hiram; four sisters, Mary Watson and husband John of  Denmark, Barbara Kimball of Hiram, Celia Stacy and husband Jim of Denmark, and Joyce Osgood of Denmark; five grandchildren, Piper and Kendall Durgin of Altoona, Pa., and Celia, Gabriel and Hunter Durgin of Hiram; also several nieces and nephews.

Visiting hours will be on Thursday, Jan. 17, from 6 to 8 p.m., with a Masonic service at 7:30 at the Watson, Neal & York Funeral Home, 71 Maple St., Cornish. A funeral service will be on Friday, Jan. 18, at 11 a.m. at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints off Federal Road (Rt. 25) in Kezar Falls (Parsonsfield). His burial will be in Hiram in the spring.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Hiram Fire Dept., PO Box 114, Hiram, ME 04041, or to the Greenleaf Masonic Lodge, c/o Chester Chapman, 374 Spec Pond Rd., Porter, ME 04068.