The Rev. Patrick J. Durkin, CSV, part of the founding staff of Saint Viator High School in Arlington Heights, IL passed away on August 14, 2011 at St. Joseph’s Home for the Elderly in Palatine, IL. He was 85. He was born March 13, 1926 in Chicago, the son of the late Michael and Anna (nee Ryan) Durkin. He was preceded in death by his parents, his brother Harry Cerjak and his sister Norine Accettura. He is survived by his brother and sister-in-law, William and Virginia Cerjak of Glendale, AZ, along with many nieces, nephews and great nieces and nephews. Fr. Durkin joined the Viatorians in 1945 and was ordained a priest in 1952. He began his teaching career at Spalding Institute in Peoria, IL and also taught at Cathedral Boys/Griffin High School in Springfield before being called to Chicago’s Northwest suburbs to help open the area’s first Catholic high school. When Saint Viator High School opened in1961, Fr. Durkin was dean of men and also taught biology. He remained at the school until 1970. He served as hospital chaplain at Manteno State Hospital in Manteno, IL before heading west and serving as pastoral care director at O’Connor Hospital in San Jose, CA and St. Jude Hospital in Fullerton, CA. Fr. Durkin retired in 1995 to La Mesa, CA and later moved to Las Vegas, NV. He relocated to the Viatorian Province Center in 2010 where he lived until moving to St. Joseph’s Home. Visitation will take place from 9:00 a.m. until time of the Mass of Christian Burial 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, August 18 at St. Joseph’s Home for the Elderly, 80 W. Northwest Highway in Palatine. Interment will be at the Viatorian section in Queen of Heaven Cemetery, Hillside, IL.
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