Joe Durnin - Melbourne

Joe Durnin, 62, pased away Tuesday, February 10, 2009. Joe's family came to Brevard in 1954 from Philadelphia, PA.

He attended Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic School and graduated from Melbourne Central Catholic in 1965. He was the Quarterback for the MCC Hustlers. In High School "Joey" was also known as "Surfer Joe" and was the lead singer in a band "The Hanging Five".

Joe served in the US Army as an MP in Korea during the Vietnam War. He obtained an Associates Degree in Business from Brevard Jr. College. Joe worked in the Finance Dept. for Rockwell International at Kennedy Space Center where he was responsible for preparing an Operating Budget for all Direct Personnel involved in the Apollo-Skylab and Soyouz missions.

For the last couple years Joe has enjoyed having coffee and playing guitar and singing around Historic Downtown Melbourne. You may know him as "Smokin Joe".

Joe was preceded in death by his parents, Peter and Lucille Durnin. He is survived by his sisters, Mary Alford, Jeanne Miller, Jane Mays and Rosanne Pelfrey; and his brothers, James and Michael Durnin. He is also survived by several nieces, nephews and great nieces and nephews who were an active part of his life.

A memorial will be held on Thursday, February 12, 2009 at 10:00 a.m., at Brownlie-Maxwell Funeral Home in Melbourne. On Friday, February 13, 2009 at 11:00 a.m., a Funeral mass will be held at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church in Melbourne.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests Masses be said for Joe in the catholic church of your choice or make donations to Our Lady of Lourdes School. Brownlie Maxwell Funeral Home is serving the family, (321) 723-2345. www.brownliemaxwell.com