Mayor Bob Barnett delivered a tribute to former Commissioner Sean Durkin at the Tuesday, Aug. 4, Village Council meeting, honoring a public servant whose career touched three communities in the Downers Grove area.

Durkin died July 30 at age 56.

He served 10 years on the Downers Grove Village Council, six years as an alderman in Darien and was appointed to the Woodridge Village Board in August 2025. The village described him as a dedicated public servant and community leader who was a friend to many, in a statement posted to its official X account on Wednesday, Aug. 5.

The village pressroom page confirmed that Barnett shared reflections on Durkin's life and service during the meeting, though a transcript of his remarks has not been published.

Durkin's public service began in 1997, when he and Darien Mayor Marchese were both elected as new aldermen for the City of Darien. Marchese said in a statement on the City of Darien's Facebook page that those who served alongside Durkin "came to know him as a principled leader whose only motivation was to do what was best for Darien residents and the community he loved."

Beyond elected office, Durkin worked as senior vice president in the Government Funds Division at Wintrust Financial. He was president of the Seven Bridges Homeowners' Association in Woodridge and president-elect of the Downers Grove Rotary Club at the time of his Woodridge board appointment.

The Rotary Club of Downers Grove said Durkin rejoined the club about four years before his death and participated in Done-In-A-Day volunteer projects, including cooking meals at Ronald McDonald House, cutting scarves for The Backpack Project and building dressers for Sharing Connections, as reported by Patch.

The Village of Woodridge said Durkin would be remembered as someone who lived with great purpose and gave selflessly, adding that the community is grateful for his lifetime of service.

Durkin is survived by his son, Gavin Daniel, and daughter Avery Elizabeth. He was preceded in death by a daughter, Ava Elizabeth.

A visitation will be held Friday, Aug. 7, from 8:15 to 9 a.m. at Modell Funeral Home, 7710 S. Cass Ave., Darien, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10 a.m. at St. Mary of Gostyn Church. Interment will be at Mt. Carmel Cemetery in Hillside.

Durkin's death creates the Woodridge Village Board's second vacancy in less than a year. Trustee Mary Anne Blair's death prompted Durkin's own appointment in August 2025. No timeline for filling the seat has been announced.

In lieu of flowers, Durkin's family requested donations to the Rotary Club of Downers Grove, P.O. Box 256, Downers Grove, IL 60515.