Durwood Currier

Durwood L. Currier, 67, of Sanford, Maine, died tragically Monday, August 14th of heart complications while exercising at the YMCA in his hometown.Durwood leaves behind a legacy of warmth and kindness to his survivors. His death will be mourned greatly by the family he leaves behind, foremost among them are his wife of 48 years, Judy F. (Daniels) Currier, his three children and their spouses; Melissa and Scott Hoisington of Kingfield, ME; Gene and Kyle Currier of Gorham, ME; Kelly and Joe Cronin of Somerville, MA; and his five grandchildren; Matt, Kara, Krista, Hannah, and Jordan.Durwood was born in Berlin, NH the 5th of 9 children on May 23, 1939, to Elwood E. and Phyllis (Adair) Currier. A hard working, soft spoken man of commanding presence, Durwood learned early on from his parents that family mattered over everything else. Sharing space with five sisters and three brothers during lean times, Durwood learned early on from his mother and father that family, and love in the home, mattered more than any material rewards. Durwood started working very early, spending his summers as a boy cutting lumber for his uncles in the northern woods of New Hampshire, and had many entertaining stories of how close he came to sawing off his own limbs using chain saws of the time that were nearly as big as his 14 year old frame. From his summers in the north woods, Durwood went on to work in the grand hotels of the day that were located in Jackson, NH and The Balsams, where he would tell many more stories of working around the wealthy "summer people". Durwood began his professional career working an entry-level position at the Converse Rubber Company, where he took advantage of educational opportunities offered there to advance to foreman at the company's operation in Berlin, NH, to Supervisor in Presque Isle, Maine and finally Plant Manager in North Berwick, ME. During this time, he also volunteered to serve his country in the Army National Guard from 1958 to his honorable discharge in 1964. In 1980, Durwood started work at the new Pratt & Whitney plant in North Berwick, ME until his retirement in 2001. During this time, Durwood continued to add to his education, earning a Bachelors degree in business Administration on nights and weekends at the same time his two older children were earning their degrees. Durwood also found time to volunteer to worthy causes, among his most favored was his work with Camp Waban, and his time serving on their board from 1995 -1998 and his term as President of the Board of Directors, receiving commendations for his work on the Capital Campaign to Renovate and Expand the Child Development Center.A man of many achievements and interests, those who knew him best will remember him best as a family man who derived great joy from the company and accomplishments of his children and grandchildren. There was never a soccer game he wouldn't travel hours to see, a ski race he wouldn't climb a mountain to watch, or a softball game where he could watch is children, and especially his grandchildren, play. Durwood's favorite pastimes were with family climbing mountains, biking, kayaking-enjoying the outdoors and each other. A highlight of his life was traveling in his motor homes-always a newer and grander model in which his wife and family could see the country.A memorial service for Durwood will be held on Friday August 18th at 2:30pm at the Lafrance-Lambert & Black Funeral Home, 29 Winter Street in Sanford, ME.In lieu of flowers his wife, Judy requests that donations be made to either Camp Waban, 5 Dunaway Drive, Sanford, Maine 04073 or to the YMCA Capital Campaign Fund, PO Box 249, Sanford, Maine 04073.Condolences may be expressed by using the tab to the left.