It was a weekly ritual — one that we always anticipated at the Los Altos Town Crier.
When Matt Durham bounced into the newsroom with a smile on his face, a stack of photos in his hands and interesting stories to tell about each print, you stopped what you were doing and were set on being entertained. Swivel your chair around toward Durham, laugh up a storm and admire someone discussing the job he loves.
That was 20 years ago at my first reporting job at a weekly newspaper in northern California.
On Dec. 30, 2010, Durham, 45, passed away from duty-related cancer — malignant melanoma — as a Woodinville Fire and Rescue Department employee. He leaves behind wife, Elaine, and sons, Jack, 11, and Sam, 9.
With heavy hearts, a few of the old Town Crier employees have been sharing Durham stories on Facebook over the last few days, and it’s taken me back to that newsroom full of fun and inspiration that got me hooked on this business two decades ago.
I’ll admit, starting that new job back then was a bit intimidating, since I was joining a staff of strangers and covering an unfamiliar territory. However, Durham led the charge in welcoming me on board with his upbeat personality. His seemingly never-ending work schedule behind the camera lens was incredible to witness, as well.
After he joined Woodinville Fire, the San Jose State University photojournalism graduate didn’t put his camera down and continued to work for the West Seattle Herald. There’s that work ethic again, multi-tasking to the hilt.
I last spoke with Durham about a decade ago when he phoned me at work. He was just as enthusiastic as ever while telling me about his career, and I remember smiling and chuckling after we said goodbye.
Just as I always did in the Town Crier newsroom so many years ago.
Donations can be made to the Woodinville Firefighters Benevolent Fund, the Matt Durham Family Trust at any Bank of America branch or online.
• A memorial service for Durham will be held at 1 p.m. Jan. 8 at Overlake Christian Church, 9900 Willows Road N.E., Redmond.
The public is welcome to attend the traditional Firefighters Memorial Service with full honors.
