Russell W. Durant Jr., 61
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. - Russell William Durant Jr., 61, of 46 Marietta St., died unexpectedly on Monday, Aug. 1, 2011.
Born in Pittsfield on Nov. 7, 1949, son of Russell and Shirley Gorman Durant, he was a lifelong resident of North Adams, attending local schools. He graduated with the class of 1967 from the former St. Joseph's High School, where he was an outstanding athlete in both baseball and basketball. He also was a graduate of North Adams State College, now Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts, where he majored in accounting.
He was an Army veteran.
A certified public accountant, Mr. Durant worked in accounting for more than three decades and was employed by the firm of Adelson Moynihan Kowalczyk PC of Pittsfield.
He cared about his community and was an active member, serving on various civic, professional and volunteer boards and committees. He was secretary and a past exalted ruler, among other offices, of Elks Lodge 487 and a member and treasurer of Sons of Italy Lodge 704. He was past president of the North Adams Babe Ruth League and coached youth sports teams. He was a member of the North Adams Housing Authority Board, appointed by Mayor Richard Alcombright, and also served on the board of trustees of Legacy Bank of Pittsfield.
Mr. Durant was a communicant of the former St. Anthony's Church, an avid and lifelong Yankees fan and a collector of sports memorabilia. He was a wonderful and loving father, grandfather and brother, and a proud veteran. He had been excited about the pending birth of his second grandchild.
His wife, Silvia Domenichini-Durant, died Oct. 2, 2004.
He leaves his best friend and loving partner, Debbie Collins of North Adams; two daughters, Carrie Durant and her husband, Mark Mikullitz, of New York City and Aimee Durant Robertson and her husband, Paul, of Guilford, Conn.; a son, Aaron Durant of North Adams; two sisters, Michaele Durant and her husband, Thiers Viegas, of San Diego and Patricia Clairmont and her husband, Lawrence, of Adams; two brothers, Richard Durant of Fort Lauderdale, Fla., and John Durant of Bourne; a granddaughter, Frances Mikullitz; a stepgrandson, Lucas Robertson; his mother-in-law, Mary D'Arcangelo Domenichini of North Adams, and numerous nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews.
FUNERAL NOTICE - The funeral for Mr. Durant will be Friday, Aug. 5, at 10:15 a.m. from Flynn & Dagnoli-Montagna Home for Funerals, West Chapels, 521 West Main St., North Adams followed by a Funeral Mass at 11 at St. Elizabeth of Hungary Church, celebrated by the Rev. Dariusz Wudarski, a close friend of the family. Burial will follow in Southview Cemetery.
Calling hours will be Thursday, Aug. 4, from 4 to 8 at the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made to the Pittsfield Boys Club in care of the funeral home.