Rev. Patrick J. Curran

Rev. Father Patrick Joseph Curran, 77, of St. Thomas the Apostle Parish in West Hartford, died Saturday, May 17, 2008 at St. Francis Hospital. Born in Kilcrohane, County Cork, Ireland, he was the son of the late John P. and Bridget Doohan Curran. Fr. Curran was a graduate of St. Patrick's Seminary in Thurlas, County Tipperary, Ireland, and was ordained June 10, 1955. He earned a Masters of Divinity Degree from St. Thomas University in Houston, Texas. He served the Diocese of Salt Lake City Utah for 19 years, returning to Texas where he did parish work, youth counseling, and served as a hospital chaplain. He returned to Utah and served as the Director of the Diocesan Retreat House. He came to St. Thomas the Apostle Parish in 1989. Fr. Curran possessed a great love for his fellow man. He respected and embraced his Irish heritage. He was the Town Marshall for the West Hartford Parade in 1994 and Town Honoree in 1998 as well as Deputy Parade Marshall in 2000. He was known as the Chaplain for the Irish American Home Society as he officiated at the Festival and Feis Masses every year. In 2005 Father Curran celebrated the 50th anniversary of his ordination to the priesthood. He is survived by his two brothers and his sister; Sean Curran and his wife Mary of Webster, NY, James Curran and his wife Mickey of Highland, CA, and Maura Markham, of Castlepollard, Ireland, his five nieces, ten nephews, and several grandnieces and grandnephews. Funeral services will Wednesday, May 21 beginning with calling hours from 3-5:30 p.m. in St. Thomas the Apostle Church, 872 Farmington Ave. West Hartford, CT 06119 followed by a Parish Mass at 7 p.m. The Most Reverend Henry J. Mansell, Archbishop of Hartford will celebrate a Mass of Christian Burial with his fellow priests on Thursday May 22 at 10:30 a.m. in St. Thomas the Apostle Church. Burial will be in Ireland. Fr. Curran requested that any donations be made in his memory to St. Thomas the Apostle Church. Online messages of remembrance may be made at www.molloyfuneralhome.com. We thank Fr. Curran for all the blessings he gave us through his life's service to God.