Matthew Harry Melvin Durnford ~ June 27th, 1953 - November 5th, 2025

Lavella Francis Durnford ~ January 30th, 1955 - November 5th, 2025

It is with profound sadness and heavy hearts that the families of the late Matthew Harry Melvin and Lavella Francis (nee MacDonald) Durnford announce their peaceful passing on November 5th, 2025, at Dr. Charles L. LeGrow Health Center, at the ages of 72 and 70, with each other by their side, hand in hand and surrounded by their loving family. Born in Burgeo and St. Georges, they were the children of the late Allan & Gladys Durnford, and Nathan & Matilda MacDonald.

Harry and Lavella will be forever missed by children, Matthew, Michelle (Gary), April (Scott), grandchildren, Dylan (Cassidy), Cheyenne, Nicholas, Anna (Anthony), Avery, great-grandson, Arthur, and their loving boy, Jasper.

Harry also leaves to mourn, brothers, Sam (Liz), Merrill (Sandra), George (Yvonne), sisters, Elizabeth (Arthur), Doris (George), Emily, and Gladys (Alex). Lavella leaves behind, brother, John, cousin, Albert (Florence), her Aunt Vene & Uncle Lionel, Aunt Cavell & Uncle Fred, and Uncle Wayne, who were like siblings to her. They also leave behind a large circle of nieces, nephews, extended family and friends.

Mom and Dad had a true fairytale love story, they started dating in their teenage years and were each other’s first boyfriend and girlfriend, and their love held strong for 56 years to their final days. Dad was well known for his upholstery business which he ran in Port aux Basques for many years, and he had a wonderful group of friends who all enjoyed playing the accordion and other music together, as well as fishing and spending time outdoors. Mom was a homebody who always put her family above everything else, taking care of her husband and her three children, but she did love a good game of cards with her card club, and she wouldn’t say no to a shopping trip if asked.

They were predeceased by, brothers-in-law, Eugene Papail and Greg Duncan, Aunts and Uncles Isaac (Genvieve) Legge, George (Geraldine) Legge, Suzanne Legge, Ethel (Austin) Sheppard, Marg (Kearny) Felix, Deila (Victor) Bouticher, Edward Legge, nephew and niece, Ross and Irene Durnford.

Family and friends can visit Oceanside Funeral Home on Thursday, November 6th from 7:30 -9:00 p.m. and Friday, November 7th, from 2:00-4:00 and 7:00-9:00 p.m. The funeral service will take place at St. James Anglican Church on Saturday, November 8th at 11:00 a.m. with Rev. Jane Allen and Rev. Kuda officiating. Interment to follow at St. James Anglican Cemetery, Barachois Hill. In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Harry and Lavella can be made to the family. Funeral arrangements were entrusted to Oceanside Funeral Home. Words of comfort may be sent to the family by visiting www.oceansidefh.ca