Francis Z. Durand, born March 27, 1917 in Woonsocket, RI died on Monday January 3, 2011 in Palm Harbor, FL after a brief illness. Mr. Durand was married 61 years to Jeannette (St. Pierre) who died in June 2007. Brother of Victory Byron of Johnston, RI and father of eight children - the late Emma A. Durand formerly of Jamestown, RI, Paul R. Durand of Oldsmar, FL, William D. Durand of Pawtucket, RI, Douglas N. Durand of Tarpon Springs, FL, Susan Ritchotte of Davenport, FL, Stephen J. Durand of Pawtucket, RI, Nancy McAllister of Guntersville, AL, and Lynne Zygmont of Windham, NH. He was a Grandfather of 18 and Great-Grandfather of 11.
He was a veteran of WWII (43rd Infantry Division / Pacific). He a Staff Sergeant was wounded in 1945 and received a purple heart.
A memorial mass will be held at St. Ignatius of Antioch Catholic Church, Tarpon Springs at noon on Saturday January 22, 2011.
Burial will be at the Sarasota Veterans Cemetery on Monday January 24, 2011.
