Robert Joseph Curran, 81, died peacefully at the home of son Paul Curran and daughter-in-law Mary Beth Owens on June 4, after several months of illness. He was born and raised in Binghamton, N.Y., the eldest son of Joseph and Mary Bustin Curran.
Bob retired to Bowdoinham from Boca Raton, Fla. in 2003 after teaching philosophy for 46 years. He spent the last 26 years at the College of Boca Raton, which later became Lynn University. He also taught photography at Boca Raton, and taught classes at Palm Beach Community College and Florida Atlantic University. Before moving to Florida, Bob lived in Gloucester, Mass. and was chairman of the philosophy department at Newton College for 20 years.
In 1950, Bob received his BA in Philosophy from Fordham University. He made the varsity track and cross country teams all four years. He broke school records, earned many medals, and was captain of the track team. His studies were interrupted in 1946 when he was drafted into the U.S. Army and sent to the Philippines for a year. In 1952, Bob received his Masters degree, also in Philosophy, from Fordham University.
Bob’s interests and hobbies included photography, oil painting, gardening, fishing, camping, reading, and carpentry. He was a life-long devout Catholic and active member of many book clubs, including one devoted to Thomas Merton. Bob was a talented story-teller known for his wisdom, sense of humor, generosity, and optimism.
Bob is predeceased by his wife of 48 years, Mary Jeanne Cregg Curran, and two brothers, Jim and Bill Curran.
Bob is survived by his children, Paul Curran and wife Mary Beth Owens of Walpole, Edward Curran of Bowdoinham, Matthew Curran of Gloucester, Mass., Michael Curran of Parkville, Md., Mary Pat Ocano of Boca Raton, Fla., Rachel Curran Whittington of Silver Spring, Md., and Kristin Curran of Saugus, Mass.; 19 nieces and nephews; 40 great-nieces and nephews, including one great-great niece; and 11 grandchildren, including one great-granddaughter.
Funeral mass for Bob, Fri., June 26 at 11 a.m. at St. John the Baptist Church in Brunswick.
