Joseph Durkin

Joseph James Durkin, 77, of Nashville, Tennessee, passed away peacefully on Saturday, December 18, 2021. He was born in Scranton, Pennsylvania, on August 6, 1944. Joseph, or Joe to those who knew him best, graduated from St. Patrick’s High School in Scranton, PA. Joe attended Fairleigh Dickenson University before serving 3 years as a communications specialist for the United States Army. He was married to his beloved wife, Jane, for 55 beautiful years.

Joe spent the majority of his professional career utilizing his well-honed and often touted “Irish gift of gab.” He had a long, illustrious career in sales where his ability to communicate, entertain, and put people at ease led him to success in the fields of real estate, consulting, marketing, and direct sales. In fact, throughout his career, Joe sold everything from commercial and residential real estate to television commercials that he wrote for NBC, and chocolate and candy for Nestle and Beechnut-Lifesavers. However, he spent the vast majority of his professional career in the paper business where his humor and humble spirit led him to build life-long personal connections and friendships. Joe was a long-standing member of the Church of the Holy Rosary in Donelson, Tennessee. He was overwhelmingly proud of his family and never missed the opportunity to let them (and anyone who would listen) know how much he loved them. He had a passion for a good story and meeting and entertaining people of all ages. Never one to meet a stranger, Joe is undoubtedly holding court in heaven right now.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Joseph Durkin and Mary Devine, and by his son, Stephen, who lost his life to leukemia at age 7. Joe is survived by his devoted wife, Jane; daughter, Jules McCord and her husband, Joe McCord; daughter Jane Durkin and her husband Aaron James; and by his cherished grandchildren, Morgan McCord, Clay McCord, and Andie James. A Mass will be offered in his honor on Saturday, March 26, 2022, at the Church of the Holy Rosary, in Donelson, Tennessee. In lieu of flowers, Joe requested that donations be made to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society in honor of his son, Stephen.

*Please refrain from sending flowers. While appreciated, the family specifically requests donations to the society listed above. *