Obituary of Hartley S. Durgin

Hartley S. Durgin, 81, of Peabody died on Monday, April 6, 2009 at the E.N. Rogers Memorial Veterans Hospital in Bedford where he has been in residence for the past 9 years. Hartley was born in Boston on July 26, 1927 son of the late Vivian E. (Bell) Durgin. He was raised in Peabody attended the Kiley School and graduated from Peabody High School with the Class of 1946 after returning from WW II. He enlisted in the United States Navy in 1945 and served as a Seaman, Second Class and served until being Honorably Discharged in July of 1946 and was awarded the WW II Victory Medal. In December of 1950 he reenlisted in the Navy and served aboard the USS Ernest G. Small and received the United Nations Medal. Hartley began his working career at the New York Stock Exchange as a messenger for Blyth & Co. a position he held for 2 years. He then returned to Peabody and was employed as a kitchen assistant at several North Shore Nursing Facilities until his retirement in 1970. Hartley was a life member of the D.A.V. Post 100 in Peabody. His cousins, Ann and Donald Musial of Peabody, Susan Gaudet, Edward and Barbara Bell of Marblehead, Marsha and Vincent Spinale of Seabrook NH, Virginia Sheldon, and Stephen and Maureen Small of Thornton NH, the caring staff at the E.N. Rogers Memorial Veterans Hospital and his many friends survive Hartley. His aunts and uncle, Thirsa Gaudet, Edna Small, Stuart Bell, Annie McCarthy and Clara Vambell predeceased him. The family will receive relatives and friends on Monday, April 13, 2009 from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Conway, Cahill-Brodeur Funeral Home, 82 Lynn St. (facility) Peabody. Hartley’s funeral service will be held on Tuesday, April 14, 2009 at 11:30 a.m. in the funeral home. William Peebles will officiate. Memorial contributions may be made to the E.N. Rogers Memorial Veterans Hospital, C/O Ward 4A, 200 Springs St., Bedford, MA 01730. Burial will be in the family lot at Oak Grove Cemetery, Peabody.