James Edward Durbin

Jim was born June 30, 1941, in Mt. Vernon, Ohio, to the late Joseph Lyman Durbin and Clara Jane Weiland. He served in the Navy as an Aviation Electronics Mate 2nd Class in New Iberia, Louisiana before graduating from Tulane University and working for South Central Bell in New Orleans for many years. After retiring, Jim went into education and worked for several schools in New Orleans, Tampa Bay, and Orlando, Florida before retiring again to pursue a long-held dream of being an Engineer on the Walt Disney World Railroad.

Jim was the oldest of nine children. He was preceded in death by his parents, Joseph Lyman Durbin and Clara Jane Weiland, brothers Joseph, Raymond, Charles, and John Durbin, grandparents Joseph Durbin and Winifred Ditenburg, Ray Weiland and Anastasia Murphy, and his oldest daughter, Patricia (Trish) Mary Durbin.

Jim married his true love Patricia Anne Ellis Durbin on January 8, 1966, in New Iberia, Louisiana. He is survived by his loving wife Patricia, his sons James Edward Durbin, Jr. and Patrick Ellis Durbin, his youngest daughter Erin Eugenia Durbin Craig, and his two grandchildren Isabella Evangeline Durbin and Jeffrey Scott Craig. He is also survived by his brother Michael Durbin and sisters Winifred Durbin, Rosemary McAdam, and Barbara Durbin.

Jim was a devoted husband and father who would do anything for his family and always placed their needs before his own. He loved being a part of his children’s activities including ballgames, track meets, and speech tournaments. He had a unique sense of humor and was never a stranger in any room he entered with his affable nature and genuine friendliness. He loved golf and building things and was always fixing or building something for the family home. And Jim loved a parade!

Jim was a devout Catholic and served as a volunteer sacristan and altar server at Mary Queen of the Universe Basilica. He previously sang in multiple choirs and served as a Eucharistic Minister at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church in Metairie, Louisiana. His love of singing also led him to sing in Disney’s Candlelight Procession for many years. He served previously on the Hunter’s Creek Board of Directors and Chaired the Vida Vista Neighborhood Board. He volunteered with Fore Kids at the Zurich Classic and was a retired member of Bell System’s Pioneer Retiree Association.

Jim will be missed by all who knew and loved him, especially his family and friends. The little life lessons he taught us and the kindness and love he showed so many will continue to live on through our memories of a great man, friend, dad, and husband.

A Memorial Mass will be held at Basilica of the National Shrine of Mary, Queen of the Universe 8300 Vineland Ave. Orlando, FL 32821.The family will be arriving at 1:30pm. Mass will begin at 2:00pm.

In lieu of flowers, the family is asking that donation be made to the charity Jim donated his time to Fore!Kids at the following website:

Fore!Kids Foundation – Zurich Classic of New Orleans