Obituary of John Francis McCurn

John Francis McCurn died on April 26, 2008 in Marco Island, FL. Born on September 21, 1927 in Syracuse, NY, he was the son of Justice Francis D. McCurn and Grace Peters McCurn. He attended Rosary school, LaSalle Academy, LI, and graduated from CBA in 1946. He attended Syracuse University College of Forestry and the Ranger school. John married Cherry Solar on September 17, 1949 in Syracuse. They had celebrated their 58th wedding anniversary last fall. John began working for New York Telephone in 1949 as a coin collector. His employment with NY Tel took him to Binghamton, Albany, and to Endicott where he was the Business office manager from 1962 to 1966. In 1966, he went to work for Continental Telephone Company. Promoted to director of telephone services, he was transferred away to Sycamore, Illinois. He became Vice President of CTC of Illinois and Michigan and remained in that position until he retired in 1985, whereupon he and Cherry returned to Syracuse and then resided at Independence Point, Chaumont, NY. He and his wife were active together throughout their lives in fundraising, charity work, and volunteer activities such as Cub Scouting, Westhill Elementary PTO co-presidents, Town of Onondaga Library Foundation Fund drive, The March of Dimes and Independence Point Association.

John is survived by his wife, Cherry; six sons and daughters; and 16 grandchildren, as well as seven nieces and one nephew. His six children include Mary and husband, Ken Petrones of Overland Park, KS and Chaumont, NY, Ann and husband, Nick Schremmer of Lake George, NY, John F. McCurn Jr. and wife, Mary Lee Hodgens-McCurn of Syracuse, NY, Ruth and husband, Dr. Carl Scruggs Jr., of Massena, NY, Patricia and husband, Eric Countryman of Schenectady, NY, and James D. McCurn and wife, Charlene of York, PA; his grandchildren include Kevin Petrones, Kathleen Petrones, Tricia Schremmer, Kristen Schremmer, Elizabeth Smith, Jane McCurn, Dr. Candace Scruggs, Laura Scruggs, Jennifer Scruggs, Carl Scruggs III, Cherry Countryman, Meghan Countryman, Kelly Countryman, Ben McCurn, Alex McCurn, and Josh McCurn. He is also survived by his brother, Judge Neal P. McCurn and sister-in-law, Nancy McCurn along with seven nieces and one nephew. He was predeceased by sister, Mary M. Brown and brother-in-law, Allen T. Brown. John was a parishioner of All Saints Church in Chaumont, NY and also San Marco Church in Marco Island, FL.

His life will be celebrated with a wake at the Edward J. Ryan and Son Funeral Home, 3180 Bellevue Ave., Syracuse, NY on Friday, May 2, 2008 4 to 7 p.m. and a funeral at Most Holy Rosary Catholic Church on Roberts Ave. in Syracuse, at 9:30 a.m. on Saturday, May 3, 2008. He will be buried at St. Mary's Cemetery, DeWitt, NY.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Bishop's Academy at Most Holy Rosary, Hospice and Palliative Care of St. Lawrence Valley, 6805 US Highway, Potsdam, NY or to the charity of your choice. John will be greatly missed by all his loving family and friends.