Person:Walter Durant (1)

PENOBSCOT - Walter F. Durant, 84, died March 14, 2005, at a Bangor hospital, surrounded by his loving family. He was born July 23, 1920, in Bangor, the son of Henry and Agnes (Melanson) Durant. Walter was a U.S. Army platoon Sergeant in the 8th Division 121st Infantry serving in World War II from the beaches of Normandy through France on to Germany in 1944 and was a survivor of the Huertgen Forrest Battle. "Sgt. Rock", as his men called him, returned home after a year of combat. Walter moved to Bucksport where he met his beloved wife-to-be, Martha F. Wardwell. Married for 57 years, they were the best of friends and totally devoted to each other. Walter worked for the Maine Central Railroad and became an engineer. He loved the locomotives and was president of his local railroad lodge for 30 years. Retiring in 1975, he joined the Penobscot Volunteer Fire Department, of which he was very proud, going out on calls even in his 80's! Walter and Martha spent his remaining years living in the old Penobscot homestead, which became the best years of their lives. Walter leaves behind his beloved wife of 57 years, Martha F. (Wardwell) Durant; their two sons, Steve Durant and Rick Durant; Rick's best friend, Rose Hubbard; two grandsons, Matthew Durant and Logan Durant; two brothers, Jim Durant and Donald Durant; two sisters, Yvonne Weiser and Mary McDonald. Visitation for family and friends will be 6-8 p.m. Thursday, March 17, 2005, at the Mitchell-Tweedie Funeral Home, 28 Elm St., Bucksport. Members of Walter's family will be speaking about Walter at 6:45 p.m. Others are encouraged to share memories and stories about Walter at this time. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated 10 a.m. Friday, at St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church, Bucksport, with Father Richard Lembo, celebrant. A gathering of conversation and refreshment will immediately follow in the church hall. Spring interment will be in Castine Cemetery, Castine. Donations in Walter's memory may be made to the Penobscot Volunteer Fire Dept. care of Chief Albert Snow Jr., Rte. 175, Penobscot, ME 04476. -Bangor Daily News 17 March 2005

1. ↑ ^1.0 1.1 Bangor Daily News 17 March 2005.