Obituary of George Henry Durbin
Please click here to view the recording of the Graveside Service
A SERVICE TO CELEBRATE THE LIFE OF GEORGE DURBIN WILL BE HELD SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2022 AT 3:30 P.M.
AT SPEERS FUNERAL CHAPEL, 2136 COLLEGE AVENUE, REGINA, SK.
DURBIN, George Henry
July 18, 1929 – April 14, 2020
George was born in Regina and lived and worked his entire in life in the city. He worked for Robert Simpsons and retired after thirty years. George came out of retirement to work for Colonial caskets for several years.
The military reserve, the Legion and Canada were integral pieces of George's life. He joined military service as a boy soldier at age 14 and spent fifty years of his life in military service. George retired in 1994 as Regimental Sergeant Major in the 10th Field Regiment in the Royal Canadian Artillery. His military awards included Canadian Centennial Medal, Elizabeth II Jubilee Medal and the Canadian Forces Decoration with two clasps. In recognition of years of service to the Legion, he was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal.
George was a member of the Legion Branch #001 for over 30 years. He was involved in a number of capacities; the most important being in charge of the November 11th service at the Cenotaph and the Cadet project selling poppies to commemorate Remembrance Day.
The Branch Museum was officially opened in 2003 and Durbin played an active and important part in the founding of the museum and securing memorabilia for museum exhibits.
In 2017 the museum moved to a new location at Branch #001. At the grand opening The Gallery of Heroes was dedicated to honour C.W.O George Durbin.
Family was paramount in George's world. Married to Leverne Fjoser for over 50 years, they raised their children on Grey Street, the home George lived in his entire life.
George is survived by his children Randy Durbin (Laura), Cindy James (Chuck) and Debbie Sillinger; grandchildren Barrett James (Chelsea), Tamara McCabe (Curtis), Kellen Sillinger (Kerry) and Breanne Sillinger; great-grandchildren Von, Rory, Keaton, Cohen, Silas, Sterling, Matty, Jacob and Julian; brother Tom Durbin (Irene) and sister Marilyn Paisley (Jim). He was predeceased by his wife Leverne (2001) and close friend Velma Collins (2019).
George was season ticket holder for the Pats; he often joked his great-grandchildren made up an entire line with a few extra for the bench. George had a passion for cards, cribbage was his favorite game. The last games he played were a skunk and a win.
George Durbin was a loving, kind and gentle soul: loved and admired by many. He will be missed.
A SERVICE TO CELEBRATE THE LIFE OF GEORGE DURBIN WILL BE HELD SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2022 AT 3:30 P.M. AT SPEERS FUNERAL CHAPEL, 2136 COLLEGE AVENUE, REGINA, SK.
Graveside Service was held at Riverside Memorial Park, 815 Assiniboine Avenue, Regina SK on Tuesday, April 21, 2020 at 1:30 p.m. Friends and family are welcome to join the procession to the graveside by meeting in their vehicles at the gate at 1:15 p.m. Guests are asked to remain in their vehicles in order to comply with gathering size restrictions. The graveside service will be broadcasted on radio at FM 106.9. Nobody should leave their vehicles unless directed to do so by Speers’ personnel.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Legion Museum Branch #001, 1820 Cornwall Street Regina, SK S4P2K2. A celebration of life will be held at a later date in Regina.
The Durbin family invites friends to share in a memorial service to celebrate the life of George Durbin who passed away in 2020. We would like to gather together all of those who were unable to attend the funeral due to the pandemic. The service will provide an opportunity for us to celebrate a gentle, kind, and well-loved man; his absence has left a void in all our lives.
Memorial Service will be held at Speers Funeral Chapel, 2136 College Avenue, Regina, Saskatchewan on Saturday, September 10, 2022, at 3:30 p.m.
