Vincent Walter Durnan

Vincent W. Durnan, 82, passed away at Laconia Hospital on Saturday, January 9, after a lengthy illness. Son of Walter and Rose Durnan, he was raised in West Roxbury, MA. He was a proud alumnus of St. Sebastian's School and Boston College, before later earning a graduate degree from UMass-Boston. His lifelong commitment to education brought him to every corner of New England and to schools of every kind. An affinity and talent for hockey created a minor league playing opportunity in northern New Hampshire, after a time of post-collegiate military service and a period of discernment in seminary. Relocating as a young teacher to Groveton, NH, well north of The Notch, he met his beloved wife of 56 years, Jane Emery, who survives him. Their two sons, Vincent, Jr. of Nashville, TN and Peter (Kristen Fischer) of Holderness, NH both pursued careers in education like their dad. He took great joy in his five granddaughters Avery, Kailana, Emery, Julia, and Hannah. He is also survived by a sister, Rosemary Scala of Murraysville, PA, sister in-law Carolyn Emery of Essex Junction, VT, and many, many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by sister Ruth Johnson, brothers in law Paul Johnson, Luciano Scala, Stanley Emery, and Hollis Emery, and sisters in law Arline Sanborn and Marion Emery. His remarkable teaching and administrative career included years at Kennett High in North Conway (NH), a founding principal role at Champlain Valley Union High in Williston (VT), a principal position at Nashua (NH) High, and headmaster roles at St. Johnsbury Academy (VT) and Berwick Academy (ME). Rather than retire, he accepted a position with the New England Association of Schools and Colleges, where he organized and supported innumerable independent school accreditation teams by seeing scores of schools up close. He loved being around teachers, students, and school heads, and he loved to talk shop, especially with the Independent School Association of Northern New England (ISANNE), a group he led as its first Executive Director. And as with all things, as a gentleman. After many decades of walking school hallways and driving winding highways from campus to campus, he and Jane sold the house in Exeter, NH and joined the senior community at Meredith Bay (NH), where they have enjoyed and appreciated a great and supportive group of friends. The family's gratitude extends also to the remarkable and caring staff at Meredith Bay.

Tributes

Vincent Walter Durnan

November 30, 1933 - January 9, 2016