Ralph Joseph Curran

The family of Ralph Joseph Curran, 93, is sad to announce his death on February 23, 2017 at Camp Hill Veterans’ Memorial Hospital in Halifax, after a short illness. He was born in Halifax on March 19, 1923, the son of Roy Howard and Florence (Pelham) Curran. He is survived by his son, Pat Curran (Janet Hamm), and daughter, Paulette Britton (Bob Britton), all of Halifax; grandchildren, Colleen Britton, Robert Britton (Chrissy Lynch), Sarah Purdy (Tim), Kelly Curran David Harris), Patrick Curran (Jin-sun Park), Joanne Shaw (Bill), Kevin Curran, Peggy Britton, Matthew Britton, Kate Curran and Brigid Curran; great-grandchildren, Emma Purdy, John Pádraig Harris, Ciara Harris, Brenna Shaw and Kieran Curran; brother-in-law, Paul Viau; and several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his beloved wife of 68 years, Gertrude Alma (Fairn) Curran; brother, Alan; sisters, Grace Russell and Florence Viau; grandson, Sean

Patrick Curran.

Dad grew up in St. Patrick’s parish, in the area where his father operated a garage. He spent most of World War II on corvettes in the North Atlantic as a member of the RCNVR. Just after the war he was diagnosed with tuberculosis and spent two years in the naval hospital at Cornwallis, where he had been posted at the time he met Mom in 1943. He became a career employee with Central (now Canada) Mortgage and Housing Corporation, working throughout

Atlantic Canada, on the Prairies and in the North. He retired and returned to Halifax in 1981.

Dad made friends of all ages easily and from everywhere and kept in touch with countless of them by letter and telephone. With Mom’s help, the house was like a United Nations, with visitors over the years from such widespread locations as Turkey, Lesotho, Réunion Island, Mexico, Poland, Cambodia, China and Ireland. He wrote, called and visited when he could relatives and friends from across Canada and in the U.S. and he corresponded for years with

several Catholic missionaries. He also wrote quirky, hilarious letters and cards to his children and grandchildren.

He was generous with both his time and money, helping many individuals and organizations. He was a mentor, almost a second father, to some young Polish refugees who jumped ship in Halifax Harbour and went on to have successful lives in Canada. He gave a special welcome to the former Waterford Crystal workers who came to Halifax in the late 1990s.

Animals always responded to Dad as someone with affection for them. He kept a photo of his cat companion Tómas in his hospital room. He also took a great interest in environmental issues.

He was a good athlete, mainly as a baseball and hockey player when he was young. He had many lifelong friends from his years of coaching minor baseball and minor hockey. In middle age he took up golf and played regularly into his 80s.

Dad cherished his Irish heritage and had many Irish friends in Nova Scotia, Ireland and elsewhere. He maintained an excellent collection of Irish books and recordings. He was a charter member of An Cumann / The Irish Association of Nova Scotia and had great regular telephone conversations with what seemed to be the entire membership.

Dad was a man of strong opinions, a family characteristic. If you didn’t agree with him, you might have said stubborn, but even diamonds have flaws.

Visitation will take place 2-4 pm and 6-9 pm on Monday, February 27, at J.A. Snow Funeral Home, 339 Lacewood Drive, Halifax. Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated on Tuesday, February 28, at St. Agnes Church, corner Chebucto Road and Mumford Road in Halifax. Reception will follow in the parish hall. Burial will take place at a later date at Holy Cross Cemetery.