Mr. William J. Durnin, Sr.

January 28, 1934 - November 15, 2015

William J. Durnin Sr., 81, of Phillips Court, Lyon Mountain died Sunday, Nov. 15, 2015 at CVPH Medical Center, Plattsburgh, NY. Born in Standish, NY, on Jan. 28, 1934, he was the son of Frank and Mary (Hamel) Durnin. He married Shirley Chase on May 3, 1958 in St. Bernard's Church, Lyon Mountain. Coach Durnin graduated from Lyon Mountain High School and Clinton Community College. He enlisted in the U.S. Army, serving during the Korean Conflict and was honorably discharged. He was employed by the New York State Dept. of Corrections at Clinton Correctional Facility, Dannemora for 32 years prior to becoming a captain at Bare Hill Correctional Facility, Malone. He was the pitching coach for Plattsburgh State University. He also coached for Post 20, NAC Varsity baseball, NAC JV baseball, St. John's Varsity and JV baseball, Lyon Mountain Miners, Morrisonville All-Stars, and numerous Lyon Mountain youth basball teams. He was instrumental in the formation of the Clinton County youth commission baseball and softball program. He also officiated for IAABO (basketball officials association), was an honorary member of the Lyon Mountain Umpire Association and a member of the Clinton County Mariners Hall of Fame. Bill was also a member of the Siberian Rod and Gun Club, VFW, American Legion Post 1623 in Lyon Mountain, a former member of the BPOE and a communicant of St. Bernard's Church. He leaves behind his starting line up his wife of 57 years; four children and their spouses, Mary and Denis Fortin of Lyon Mountain, Fab and Michaela Durnin of Fruit Cove, FL, Peggy and Michael Tolosky of Plattsburgh, Billy and Eva Durnin of Lyon Mountain; ten grandchildren, Jean Luc Fortin, Francis, Philip, Ainsley and Michael Durnin, Matt and Anne Marie White, Jacob Tolosky, Nicole and Taylor Durnin; a great-granddaughter, Avery White; a sister, Elaine Osher of Plattsburgh; four brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Richard Chase Jr. of Cadyville, Henry and Judy Chase of Lyon Mountain, Ronald and Cindy Chase of Lyon Mountain, Larry and Sue Chase of Lyon Mountain, Sharon Shantie of Starbuck, WA; many wonderful nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his parents; three sisters, Jane Trombley, Virginia Dunn, Mary Bracy, and three brothers-in-law, Allie Chase, Walt Bracy and Maynard Osher. Calling hours will be held at St. Bernard's Church, Lyon Mountain on Wednesday, Nov. 18 from 3:30 to 7:30 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m. on Thursday, Nov. 19 in St. Bernard's Church. Burial will take place at St. Bernard's Cemetery, Lyon Mountain. Donations in his memory may be made to Lyon Mountain Fire Dept. or Lyon Mountain EMS.