Hugh L. Curley Obituary
Hugh L. Curley, 94, born on November 19, 1928, to the late John J. "Tige" and Leona M. (Cody) Curley and Husband of Nancy J. (Fraga) Curley; passed away peacefully on Tuesday, February 28, 2023, at Kaplan Family Hospice with his family by his side.
A true son of Gloucester, he was born, educated married and along with the love of his life Nancy; raised his beautiful family of three sons and two daughters in the city he loved. He graduated from St. Ann's School and Gloucester High School. Upon graduation he enlisted in the United States Army was stationed at Fort Hood, Texas. He was a Vehicle Mechanic serving as Sergeant First Class in B Battery third Armored Field Artillery Battalion in Germany during the Korean War. He was awarded the Army of Occupation Medal-Germany.
In 1950 he was appointed to the Gloucester Fire Department and was sworn into duty in 1952 and proudly served until his retirement in 1984. Never one to be idle, he always held several jobs. A jack of all trades he painted houses, delivered oil, was beach attendant at Magnolia Beach Club; worked along-side his son Steven in his construction business and was the long-time, caretaker for the Psalidas family at the Cape Ann Marketplace.
He was a lifetime member of the Gloucester Elks for 57 years.
Bitten by the travel bug, Hugh and Nancy embarked on many trips. Among those adventures they enjoyed were many snowbird drives to Punta Gorda, Florida; cruises with dear friends and family. Excursions to National Parks, Alaska, Panama Canal, and Hawaii as well as Portugal. Hughie took great pride in sharing stories of his white-water rafting trip of the Grand Canyon with his son David and daughter-in-law Christine.
Having instilled the pride of living and working in the city he loved; all his children followed in his footsteps of living and raising their own families here. Hockey, Football, Baseball, Soccer, Cheering it didn't matter what the event was he never missed the opportunity to watch his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren participate. No one was prouder and no one cheered louder.
He is survived by his loving wife of 72 years Nancy J. (Fraga);. His devoted children and their spouses, David M. and Christine (Brophy), Jon J. and Madith (Wright), Steven R. and Paula (Piscitello) Curley, Mary Beth and William Stanton and Nancy Ann and Christopher MacDonald;. His beloved grandchildren and their spouses, Steven R. and Kelly (Lopes) Curley, JD and Ashley (Sanborn) Curley, Kerrianne and Ian Gallant, Cody W. and Emily (Ackerman) Stanton, Kaylee B. Stanton and her Companion Eric Bettencourt, and Christopher P. MacDonald, Jr;. His most cherished and adored great-granchildren, Mackenzie A., Natalie N., Connor G., Olivia M., Mason J. Curley, Savannah M. and Lucas Gallant and Chloe Canning; Brother-in-law, Robert O. Fraga of Essex; Nephews, Timothy, Rob, Scott and John Curley and many nieces, nephews and cousins across the Fraga, Cody and Curley families;. His very dear friends, Allyn Smith, Bill Riley and honorary son, Walter Chianciola.
He was predeceased by his parents; his brother, John "Jack" Curley and his sisters-in-law, Barbara (Jensen) and Shirley (Hill) Curley as well as many countless family and friends.
Hugh's family would like to take this opportunity to thank the staff and volunteers at Kaplan Family Hospice in Danvers, Encompass Rehabilitation in Beverly, Dr. Arsenian, and his staff, but most especially the support from caring Family and friends.
Visiting hours in the Greely Funeral Home, 212 Washington Street, Gloucester will be held on Tuesday, March 7, 2023, from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. Relatives and friends are cordially invited to attend.
His Funeral Mass will be celebrated in St. Ann's Church, Holy Family Parish on Wednesday, March 8, 2023, at 10:00 a.m. The burial will be held in Dolliver Memorial Cemetery, W. Gloucester.
A Celebration of Life will follow at the Elks Lodge, Atlantic Road, Gloucester.
In lieu of flowers, please make memorial donations in Hugh's name to the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research, P.O. Box 5014, Hagerstown, MD 21741.
Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's ResearchP.O. Box 5014, Hagerstown, MD 21741. The Greely Funeral Home and Cremation Service.
