Sean grew up in Waltham, attending the Plympton School, playing Little League at Nipper Maher Park, and even skied Prospect Hill. Sean became an Eagle Scout before heading to college where he received a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from the State University of New York (SUNY) at Buffalo. He then returned to Waltham where he earned a Masters in Business Adminstration with a concentration in finance from Bentley University, attending school at night while working full-time.

Sean, his parents Bill and Mary Anne Durkee, his sister Kelly Durkee Erwin, her husband Everett, and their son Cam, all call Waltham home, giving him a firsthand perspective on the needs of every generation in the community. Sean purchased his home on Hammond Street in 2007. He has volunteered for the Waltham Arts Council, supports the Friends of Waltham Public Library, and is a Lifetime Member of the Waltham Historical Society. Sean is currently the Junior Vice Commander of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Waltham Post 2152 and a member of the Disabled American Veterans Post 45.
In 2002, Sean joined the U.S. Army National Guard and became a Warrant Officer. Sean has deployed to Iraq in 2005 and Kosovo in 2012. Sean currently serves as a Plans Officer on the Joint Staff in the Massachusetts Army National Guard. He was promoted to Chief Warrant Officer Four (CW4) in 2025. Sean credits his military service and deployment to Iraq with helping him recognize and appreciate everyday events and aspects of the community he previously took for granted.

Sean has many years of experience in administration, budgeting, and finance, that he will bring to the Waltham City Council. For over eight years he was a business manager at Lincoln Laboratory, in Lexington, which conducts national defense technology research. He has analyzed and monitored program budgets of $160 million, focusing on oversight of contracts and subcontracts. He has created, maintained, and analyzed Intelligence, Surveillance, Reconnaissance (ISR) Systems and Technology Division Office financial status reports for over 550 personnel.

Sean is currently pursuing a Certified Financial Planning certification through Bryant University’s Executive Development Center and recently completed the 22 month long education portion for the certification. When he isn’t busy knocking on doors or completing his U.S. Army Reserve duty, he enjoys running as great way to stay fit, unwind, and support local charities.