Peter H. Durgin
AUBURN – Peter H. Durgin, 81, of Auburn, passed away peacefully in a house filled with love, while visiting family in California on Monday, May 23, 2022.
Peter was born in Lewiston on Sept. 25, 1940, the middle of three children, to Veronica Holmes Durgin and Winslow S. Durgin Sr. He grew up in Auburn, attended Edward Little High School and graduated with the class of 1959. During his high school years, he played baseball and was on the ski team. His successes in cross-country skiing and ski jumping, led him to compete on the Junior National Ski Team.
Upon high school graduation, he attended Norwich University, on a skiing scholarship. He skied all four years of college and graduated as Second Lieutenant in the U.S. Army.
He then married the love of his life, Judy Pontbriand, in 1964. They spent the next 24 years moving around the world while raising their three children. During his military career, Peter was promoted to Major in the Army and earned a Bronze Star in the Vietnam War. He felt great kinship in reuniting with other veterans through various veteran organizations. Peter retired from the U.S. Army with the rank of Major in 1984.
He and Judy returned to Auburn to raise their family. Peter worked for L.L.Bean as an instructor for fly-fishing, hunting, and archery. He retired in 2008 joining his wife. During their retirement, Peter and Judy were “Loon Rangers” on Taylor Pond, taking time each summer to do a loon count for the Maine Audubon Society. Having a lot of free time, they traveled to California to visit their son and family, where they explored the many sites of the Tahoe area. Back home they cheered on their grandchildren at soccer matches in the fall, basketball and ice hockey games in the winter and baseball, and softball games in the spring. They were very proud of their grandchildren and loved following their activities and watching them grow up.
Peter’s lifelong love of the outdoors along with hunting, fishing, and skiing, were his passions. He and his brother, Michael, treasured their time together running their beagles for over 25 years at the Androscoggin Valley Beagle Club. He was awarded a lifetime membership for his dedication.
He is survived by his brother, Michael Durgin; his three children, Deborah Hammond and husband Greg, John Durgin, Mark Durgin and wife Adrienne; his six grandchildren, Michael, Sarah, and Caroline Hammond, Jacob, Miles, and Asher Durgin; as well as his extended family. Peter will be sadly missed by family and friends along with his hunting and fishing buddies.
In 2011, Peter tragically lost Judy, his wife and best friend. He was also predeceased by his parents; and brother, Winslow S. Durgin Jr.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Philip Church, Auburn, on June 27 at 10 a.m. Committal services will follow at Gracelawn Memorial Park in Auburn.
If desired, donations may be made in Peter’s memory to: Androscoggin Valley Beagle Club
8 Benson Ct.
Mechanic Falls, ME 04256
Credit: Source link
