Obituary of John Anthony Curtin

John Anthony Curtin (Sean) born in London, England on May 1, 1939, spent only the first 9 months of his life there before leaving London to spend his childhood on his family's farmstead in Garravane, Co Limerick, Ireland. There he was raised with five brothers and sisters, attending the local National School in Milleen until he was 15. He was able to walk to school through the green fields surrounded by hills and small streams. As was the custom always before school he had to do farm chores which continued daily until he immigrated to the USA when he was 18 years old. Daily life in Garravane was enriched by neighbors visiting each other, dancing at the local dance hall, market days in Abbeyfeale, visits from returning relatives from England and the USA, all enhanced by endless conversations and reminiscing. Sean could quote conversations held years after they took place and list family relations from generations back; his brother Moss (Maurice) could do the same. Attending the local church in Mountcollins for Sunday mass also was a very important event in his life. Even when the fresh milk had to be delivered to the local creamery on a Sunday attending mass was expected.

When Sean immigrated to the USA in 1957, he had numerous relatives in the New York area and soon started working and then enlisted in the United States Marine Corps. He served from 1960-1964. Fortunately, he served in peace time. After returning to New York City, he joined the New York Transit Police and worked for 15 years before he had a severe accident in the subway and took early retirement. Before that he obtained his college degree through the GI bill. He spent many hours in the New York Public Library reading about Irish and American history and was very knowledgeable. He met his wife, Pamela, through the Gaelic League of Ireland which had a local chapter, the Bronx Gaelic League, that met at a local Presbyterian church in the Woodlawn section of the Bronx. Sean taught the Irish language and history at the meetings. Sean and Pamela were married in Sidney at the United Methodist Church in October of 1995 with Father Gordon Polenz from Sacred Heart Church administering the wedding vows. While Sean lived in Franklin during his married life, he was active in the local American Legion Post, Ouleout Valley Post # 1689 and was Commander of the post from 2012-2018. He served also as Delaware County Chaplain of the American Legion. Surviving relatives are: brother, Maurice Curtin and sister, Doreen Curtin of Garravane, brother Aeneas Curtin and wife Patricia of Glanmire, Cork and niece Deborah and husband Ian Heaslip and son Samuel, nephew John and wife Rosanne of Cork City nephew Patrick of Cork City, sister Sr. Nora Mary, Sister of Mercy, Sacramento, California, brother Daniel Curtin and wife Bernie, niece Deidre Curtin and nephew Donal Curtin, Newcastle West, Co. Limerick. Numerous cousins live in the United States.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at Sacred Heart Church, 15 Liberty Sidney, NY on Tuesday, October 22, 2019 @ 11:00 AM followed by internment at the Ouleout Valley Cemetery in Franklin. All friends of the family of the deceased are welcome to attend the mass and burial. Share condolences with the family online at www.landersfh.com. Arrangements are under the direction of C.H. Landers Funeral Chapel, Sidney.