Richard Currie changed my life. I was a borderline student in high school, but Prof. Currie’s English Composition class started me on the path to becoming a writer. 

Rest in Peace, sir. 

Arthur Anderson 
SICC
Class of 1972

Richard was a loving and caring brother-in-law who we always enjoyed spending time with.  Richard was a passionate sports fan and we will miss our spirited discussions, especially about the Yankees and Giants. Thinking of his smile and hearty laugh brings a smile to our faces.  It was always a wonderful experience when we were together, he enjoyed family events and was always interested in what was currently going in with family. Richard will be missed, but the memories we  will always carry with us.


The Unitarian Church of Staten Island invites you to a Memorial Service honoring the life and legacy of Richard Currie. The service will be held on Zoom on Tuesday May 12th at 1:00 pm.

Please email office@uucsi.org to get the Zoom call information for the service. We welcome everyone who wishes to come! 

Dick Currie spent his entire academic life at the College of Staten Island (and its predecessor, Staten Island Community College). It was a long one. He began teaching before he finished his doctorate and continued, after he retired, part-time in the Department of English and also in Options, the college’s program for retirees. Of course he loved teaching. Why not? He was so good at it. He was also a stalwart colleague, willingly accepting and conscientiously performing the administrative tasks the academy entails. He and his wife Margaret were active in the Staten Island community as well. His academic specialty was Victorian fiction; he wrote a dissertation on the novelist Wilkie Collins. But he is best known as a teacher of—and lover of—the novels of Charles Dickens. I venture to say, statistically speaking, Staten Island has a higher percentage of Dickens enthusiasts than most places. In future days, when one Staten Island Dickens lover encounters another, each, I predict, will say “I read Dickens with Richard Currie.” That’s a nice legacy.


Richard ( Dick) Currie was one of my best friends for over 50 years since we began at Staten Island in 1968.  He was always the loyal friend and the loving caring brother. I just heard the sad news   Except for my deep sadness and sorrow I could write endless memories of my friend Dick. Suffice it for now to share the highlight of my retirement party April 16 2014. 6 years to the day. When Richard bid me a farewell speech. Most memorable! How poignant and sad. It should become the day of his passing. He never said Goodbye but So long !  Now I will not say goodbye but So long  !! Surely his example, his laughter, his operatic  voice, his humor , his gentle soul , and above all his wonderful wife and best friend  Margaret. All remaining with us for all the time. 
So So long my Friend. Rest In Peace. Mohamed Yousef 

Richard directed the MA program in English when I first started teaching at CSI back in 2003. He was such a warm person, and incredibly supportive during what was a tough first semester! I had a huge class, and it was the first time I'd taught at the graduate level! He always had something hilarious to say and a twinkle in his eye. I adored him and was so sorry to see him retire. His office was across the hall from mine I was used to seeing  him on a regular basis. I am so very sorry to hear of his passing. I wish I had taken the opportunity to thank him for his warmth of spirit. Much love to his family.

I remember Richard as a loyal friend and colleague.  His deep-throated voice could be heard in the hallway as he taught his beloved Victorian novelists.  I recall his quiet dignity at his mother's wake. and his sincerity at department meetings.  He was a good man.  I will miss him. My condolences to Margaret.

Richard -Dick- was a valued colleague, and a staunch   PSC  unionist. An active member of the CSI chapter, Dick was a strong voice at the PSC delegate assembly, and a  passionate advocate in lobbying efforts. He was an an excellent teacher, and a Charles Dickens specialist. His kind, gentle spirit will be missed.

I picture Richard listening intently, stroking his goatee, his booming, exuberant laugh.  He was part of that extraordinary, diverse group of faculty and students who formed the core of that remarkable place first called SICC and then CSI.   His was a lasting contribution.

Richard Currie has been a valued member of the Staten Island arts community for many years.   He and his wife Margaret have been lively and longstanding participants in Staten Island OutLOUD.  As a board member, Richard helped to organize several OutLOUD events at the College of Staten Island.  
   Richard and Margaret patronized many local arts events; they were frequent visitors to the Tibetan Museum, the Noble Maritime Collection, Historic Richmond Town, to name just a few.   
   We extend our sincere condolences to Margaret, and to everyone in the wide circle of friends and family that she and Richard  have held dear.     
    - Staten Island OutLOUD board members and volunteers

Hey Richard - you and I began teaching at the College of Staten Island just about the same time.  We disagreed on so many things and always came around, at some point, to a kind of concordance.  You were earnest and true and I can still hear your stentorian voice at a contentious faculty meeting many years ago when you stood up in the college auditorium and said 'I can't stay here any longer and listen to this.  I have to go back to my classes and teach.'   

Dear Margaret and family,
I am so sad to learn of Richard's passing. It was my privilege to know him in his retirement years from CSI, as the liaison for the Academy of Retired Professors, an organization he helped to found. His passion for CSI, and his warmth and presence at ARP events always made for a lively affair. He was so kind to me and I learned a thing or two about Dickens from his vast knowledge! It was always a welcome sight when the two of you would come to campus for a holiday or commencement celebration.  I know it often required quite an effort but Richard wouldn't have it any other way. I know that I am the better for having known Richard and to have been touched by his wonderful generosity of spirit. May he rest in paradise and may you be comforted knowing how he touched so many lives as a teacher, scholar, and human being.     

Richard Currie was scheduled to read from Dickens on a dark December night in the Westervelt Avenue attic in the early 1980's. At the time in that loft space, my sister Donna and I, both English majors at CSI, were running the H and D Harbor Series. This was a Staten Island poetry reading series we founded which featured local poets along with known voices, including Antler, Ted Berrigan, Allen Ginsberg, Fanny Howe, Tuli Kupferberg, Jackson MacLow, Bernadette Mayer, Alice Notley, Ed Sanders, and Anne Tardos. 

We also featured our CSI professors, Arnie Kantrowitz, Steve Khinoy, Nancy Linde, Teresa O'Connor, Armand Schwerner, Morty Schiff, and Quincy Troupe. 

We were so excited about Richard Currie's reading, knowing his passion for Dickens.

Around 5 p.m. that Saturday, the electric went out--and did not return. We were not sure how the reading could go on--but we realized that candlelight was a possibility, so we started lighting candles. Around 7 p.m., people arrived and continued to arrive, while we escorted them upstairs, which was now lit in candlelight.

Richard Currie arrived to no electricity--and ascended to the attic--to the lofty chair in the corner and read--recited--pieces from "A Christmas Carol" to a crowd of about 50 listeners, sitting in coats and blankets on the floor at his feet. He sang, "the body" of Dickens "electric."

Blessings from CSI graduates, Dr. Helen Decker, Ph.D. and Dr. Donna Decker, Ph.D.


To Margret and the family of Richard Currie:

My deepest sympathy to you on Richard’s passing. He was my English professor at The College of Staten Island for English literature. I learned so much in his class and thoroughly enjoyed it  all of the time. He was a very good teacher who was encouraging and inspiring. He made me feel good about myself and my capabilities. I am very thankful to have had him. 
He was a very kind and jovial. May he rest  In peace.
Respectfully,
Elizabeth Murphy 

Richard, every time I had the pleasure of seeing you in meetings and just walking across campus, you always brightened my day. It was wonderful to talk with you about teaching, and I learned so much from you about our students and what was needed to be an effective advocate for them. You will be so sorely missed, as a teacher, as a scholar, as a comrade, and as a man. Thank you for your generosity and your unfailing kindness. The College of Staten Island was honored by your presence. Much love to your family, and may they be comforted in knowing that many others will remember you and miss you too.

Richard Currie was one of the best teachers and scholars in our department. He was  true friend, generous , and kind. His  work for the union enriched all our lives. All his students  applauded his classes and guidance.He will be sorely missed .

Margaret,  I am so very sorry to hear about your beloved Richard's passing. I'll call you tomorrow. You are in my prayers.
Love, Dara

Richard, how gracious a colleague and friend you were.  Your openness for learning and your generosity in sharing your teaching was evident in all of our encounters.  Thank you for your enthusiasm, for your energy, and for your dedication to your students and to the paired courses we taught together.  Your devotion to teaching was felt by students at all levels from remedial through graduate. Thank you most of all for your friendship.  

My condolences to Margaret and to your family. 



I am so sorry to hear of Richard's passing.  I was a younger colleague of his at the College of Staten Island.  Richard was always welcoming, supportive, and amiable--at a time in my career before I had tenure,  when so much of professional life felt like combat.   It always brightened my day to see Richard.   I remember most  his great sense of humor.  I also remember that students loved him and often sought him out.

My thoughts are with Richard's family.  He will be missed.

 

Richard was such a cheerleader for me and for the Religious Education Program for children when I was involved with it at the Unitarian Church.  I will forever be grateful for his kindness and encouragement. He appeared to be a cheerleader for many, because he genuinely liked people and liked to hear about their lives. My condolences to Margaret and his family. I will miss seeing him at the annual Lessons and Carols at St.Paul’s.

Richard was one of the most collegial, funny, friendly, and supportive colleagues in English, and I felt comforted every time I saw him in the hallway or in the copy room. He radiated such a feeling of warmth and camaraderie, and so I was sad when he retired, but also thrilled to see him return as an adjunct for a few years, so that I could continue to get doses of his life-affirming conversation. He made those early, pre-tenure years at CSI bearable for me; when I was around him, I just remember feeling like everything would be okay. And it was, thanks in part to him, for his support and goodwill. Richard, I will miss you.

Richard Currie was a valued member of the CSI English Department for 50 years, known and respected by many scholars in New York and beyond for his knowledge of Dickens and other Victorian writers. Among his many services to CSI and CUNY were his writing and editing of "The Clarion," the newspaper of the PSC Union. His friendly voice with its unique and unforgettable "barking" tone endeared him to all. His fortitude and endurance in the face of many medical challenges over the years was inspiring to students and colleagues. 

I'm so sorry to hear this news.  Professor Currie was a true educator who worked with students to help them learn and enjoy writing.  Ill always be grateful to him for all he taught me. 
 What a loss to the CSI community.   Rest in peace Professor Currie.  

I knew Richard and his wife through the Unitarian Church of Staten Island.  He was humble and unassuming.  He did not impose his intellect or knowledge on others and seemed to authentically really want to learn from everyone.  I recall him encouraging me when I was pursuing my graduate education.   My heart goes out to his family during this difficult time. 

Richard was a wonderful colleague and friend. I remember his support and encouragement during my years as a new hire in CSI's English Dept. He was beloved by his students and a figure of great respect in his field of Victorian literature. 

Heartfelt condolences to Margaret and his family.

Prof. Maryann Feola
The College of Staten Island / CUNY
English  Department

Richard, Whenever you came into the English office you had a lovely smile on your face, and you made my day brighter. You always asked how my classes were going while I was taking them, and when I started teaching them. You truly cared about me and made me feel more than the secretary. I’ve missed you dearly since I left the English Department.

I’m so sad your brilliant light  has dimmed on earth, but I know it is shinning bright in next phase. 

Rest peacefully Richard. Susan

Professor Currie, you are a spirit whose gifts will live on in many. I will know you as kind, full of grace and wisdom, patient, thoughtful, serene at times I couldn’t fathom, and with  a presence that garnered attention and respect. Your intellect and passion was evident in all you did and I am blessed to have had your guidance along my academic path, you served as a source of personal inspiration. May you have peace. 

Richard, what a kind and generous colleague you were.  Your legacy is the hundreds of students you led through the twisty streets and across the windy moors of Victorian literature to a greater understanding of what humans share and what art brings to life. Rest in peace.

Richard, I will always remember your wonderful sense of humor, your laugh, and your love of Margaret. Once, I ran out of change somehow while at NYU and you generously loaned me enough to get home. I was most embarrassed but you treated the whole incident with a light sense of amusement. 

When Margaret surprised you with a 60th birthday party, I learned that we were the same age, our birthdays only days apart—that made me feel very close to you. As one who often confused which books some Dickens characters were in, I knew that you would always set things straight. 

You could be very droll and I always felt that you and Margaret made any occasion more than upbeat. She matched you in a zest for living and interesting stories. You always saw the bright side of things.

I was privileged to hear you at a pop culture conference and I realized how dedicated a teacher you were. I was glad to hear that even after retirement you were lecturing at a local library—with no grading to do—idyllic I hope for you.

I am pleased that you and Margaret did travel to many special places together. You deserved all that was golden. You deserved many more years. If our little group ever meets again, we are without its wise, amused heart.


Richard, because our friendship was first cemented over our shared love of Dickens, I always think of you as a character that has leaped forth from one of his novels, of course one of the characters we are meant to admire. You were open-hearted, joyous, kind, generous  overflowing with laughter and enthusiasm. So many memories flood my mind of all the fun we had going to Victorian and popular culture conferences together. You were that rare thing: an academic with no pretense. You never had a mean word for anyone  but had an animated rage against people in power who were deceitful and mean-spirited that I so admired in you and that I took such delight in.  Whenever our little Victorian cohort meets, you will be an invisible presence  guiding us along. 

Richard, you will be so missed.  Not only one of my dearest friends for over 30 years but one of the nicest people in the world.  You were not only intelligent and insightful but a rare breed of soul.  What we saw in you was the real thing.  You were your heart on your sleeve and always conveyed your true feelings.  You exuded kindness beyond measure and were passionate not only in your ideas but in your expressions of warmth and appreciation to others.  A pure soul.  A wonderful mind. An incredibly fun person. I missed your presence these later years in our writing group and will miss you greatly now.  A loss.  But I am so glad I had the privilege of having such a truly wonderful person for a friend and colleague and happy that we got to see each other in the recent past at some celebrations. Both myself and my family will miss your wonderful presence.

OBITUARIO

Richard Currie

15 diciembre, 1941 – 16 abril, 2020

Harmon Funeral Home

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