Richard William McCurdy

Richard William McCurdy, age 79, passed away peacefully on December 22, 2022, with his loving wife of 40 years, Cindy, by his side. A lifelong native of New Orleans, he was preceded in death by his parents, Marie Wilbur McCurdy and William Edward McCurdy, son, Richard William McCurdy, Jr., and sister, Patti McCurdy Johnson. He is survived by his adored wife Cindy (ne Van Vrancken) McCurdy, daughters Barbara M. Bagdasarian (Rainer) and Melissa M. Ledesma (Rickey), granddaughters Brittany Nunenmacher, Julia McCurdy Easley, Hailey McCurdy Lacava, Emily McCurdy, Romi Bagdasarian and Ava Bagdasarian, great granddaughters, Analaina Martindale, Olivia Martindale, great grandsons Caine Lacava and Caiden Lacava and sisters, Peggy McCurdy of Palo Alto, California and Anne Frank (Roger) of Davenport, Iowa and several nieces and nephews.

Richard graduated from Fortier High School and joined the Air National Guard shortly after graduation. After discharge from the service, he began his career with Delta Air Lines that spanned over 35 years and started in ticketing, then customer service and finally in cargo operations at Louis Armstrong Airport. After September 11th changed the airline industry, he retired from Delta. Always being a people person, he missed interacting with the public, so began working part-time at the New Orleans Convention Center and then for the Louisiana Restaurant Association for over 10 years until he ultimately retired.

An avid reader since his days in the military, Richard could always be found with several paperback books in his briefcase or on the sofa. He enjoyed playing golf with his former Delta buddies and wild game hunting and fishing with his sportsman buddy, Ray Brown of Alexandria, Louisiana. He was a doting “Uncle Richard” to Abigail, Barrett and Brennen Brown with whom he shared many adventures. He and Cindy enjoyed snow skiing and travelling across the U.S., as well as Europe, Mexico and the Caribbean. He was known to be able to locate a McDonald's in any foreign country within 24 hours of landing. He will be remembered for his easy-going nature, his friendliness, kindness and contagious smile and ability to laugh and make everyone laugh with a story about his airport days, travel or hunting adventures. He enjoyed spending time with family and friends, grilling in his backyard, the Metairie St. Patrick's Day parade, going to the movies, cheering on the Saints and LSU Tigers and the simple acts of mowing the lawn or working in the yard. When recently asked his favorite place, he replied "home". He will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him.

The family would like to thank the staff at Clover (formerly Kingsley House) Adult Day Care Program for their kindness and compassionate care, the patient aides and nurses at the memory care unit of The Blake at Colonial Club and the nurses of Serenity Hospice during his final days.

A visitation for family and friends will be held on Monday, January 2nd at Lake Lawn Metairie Funeral Home, 5100 Pontchartrain Blvd, New Orleans from 9:00 am to 11:00 am with a Memorial Service to follow at 11:00am. Interment will be private.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations (tax deductible) be made to Clover (formerly Kingsley House) Adult Day Program, 1600 Constance St., New Orleans 70130.

The family invites you to share fond memories and condolences online at www.lakelawnmetairie.com