Thomas Anthony Durney

It is with great sorrow that we say goodbye to our very special brother, husband, father and grandfather, Thomas Anthony Durney.

He was born in Atlantic City, NJ in 1940 to Annabelle and Alfred Durney, Sr., one of 8 siblings. There he attended Our Lady Star of the Sea School (now St. Monica's) and graduated from Holy Spirit High School in Absecon, NJ in 1958. Afterward, he joined the U.S. Army and served in the Signal Corps, stationed in the Khyber Pass of Pakistan during the Cold War. Following his military service, he found his career passion in the Philadelphia Fire Department, where he served for 26 years. In 1972, he was cited for bravery and honored by the Mayor and Fire Commissioner of the city for running up two stories to rescue a man from a fully engulfed apartment building.

After retiring, he moved to Sarasota, Florida, where he lived for 35 years and worked at Plymouth Harbor retirement community for more than 15 years.

He was a member of Incarnation Catholic Church and the American Legion.

He leaves behind his wife of 50 years, Roselyn; a daughter, Anne-Marie Jones; and two grandchildren, Logan and Mackenzie Jones, all of Sarasota; and his surviving siblings, Mary Peterson, Ann Sokalski, Catherine Libonate and Patrick Durney, all of southern New Jersey.

His family and friends will remember him as an honorable, humble and genuine person with a sense of humor, a kind heart and a wonderful smile. We are blessed to have had him in our life for so long. His love is engraved on our hearts forever and he will always be our hero.

The Funeral Mass of the Resurrection will take place at Incarnation Catholic Church on June 6, 2023, with a private interment at Sarasota National Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to:

Incarnation Catholic Church St. Vincent de Paul Society, 2901 Bee Ridge Rd, Sarasota, FL 34239

Tidewell Foundation, 3550 S. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota, FL 34239

Fisher House, 10000 Bay Pines Blvd. Bay Pines, FL 33744