Obituary of Neal P. McCurn

Neal P. McCurn, born 4/6/1926, son of former Judge Francis D. McCurn and Grace Peters McCurn, peacefully passed away in the presence of his loving family on Sunday, September 7, 2014. He was a lifelong active member of Most Holy Rosary Parish. He received his early education at Most Holy Rosary School and graduated from LaSalle Military Academy, after which he enlisted in the U.S. Maritime Service and served one year as a Commissioned Lieutenant. Neal received his Bachelor's and Law degrees from Syracuse University, where he earned the Phi Delta Phi Northeastern Law School Graduate of the Year Award in 1952. He then became an associate with the Syracuse Law Firm now known as MacKenzie – Hughes, where he practiced as a trial lawyer. Neal was active in Bar Association activities and served as President of the Onondaga County Bar Association, President of the Hiscock Legal Aid Society, Incorporator and Board Member of the Onondaga Neighborhood Legal Services, served on the Board of Visitors – S.U. College of Law and was President of the Syracuse Law College of Alumni Association. In 1978 Neal received the S.U. College of Law Distinguished Services Award, and in 1995 the Onondaga County Bar Association Centennial Award for Outstanding Judicial Services. During his years as a practicing attorney, Neal was active in community and governmental affairs and in politics. He was Chairman of the Onondaga County Chapter of the National Foundation of March of Dimes for many years and also served as its NYS Chairman. He also served as County Chairman of the American Red Cross, Chairman of the Mayor's Commission on Human Rights, Vice Chairman of the Human Rights Commission of Syracuse and Onondaga County. He served as a member of the Boards of Directors of the Urban League and the United Way of CNY. Neal was honored to serve as Grand Marshal of the 2003 Syracuse St. Patrick's Day Parade. Neal was active in local politics and was elected and served as delegate to the 1967 NYS Constitutional Convention. In 1968 he was elected President of the Common Council of the City of Syracuse. In 1969 he was a candidate for the office of U.S. Congressman. He was re-elected as President of the Syracuse Common Council in 1972 and served in that position until 1979 when he accepted President Carter's nomination to a U.S. District Court Judgeship. As a U.S. District Judge, Neal presided on many cases, and of particular note were his many judicial decisions concerning the Native American Land Claims in NYS. He was Chief Judge of the U.S. District Court, Northern District of NY from 1988 until 1993 when he changed his position to Senior status. He then continued to work on cases until he fully retired in 2012. Neal is survived by his beloved wife of 65 years, Nancy (Irving), and by his children: Susan Byrne (Michael), Skaneateles, NY; Sharon Eriksson (Mark), Navarino, NY; Carol VanRiper (Gary), Camden, NY; Penny Stuart, Inlet, NY; Mary Pat Cornish (Keith), Marcellus, NY; Neal, Jr., Syracuse, 13 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren. Calling hours will be on Friday, September 12 from 4 to 7pm at Most Holy Rosary Church, 111 Roberts Ave., Syracuse. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at Most Holy Rosary at 10:00am on Saturday. Burial will be St. Mary's Cemetery, Dewitt. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Most Holy Rosary School, 1031 Bellevue Ave. Syracuse, NY 13204, or your favorite charity.