Joseph F. Curran Jr., age 79, a life long resident of Woburn passed away peacefully on August 23rd at the Lahey Clinic Medical Center in Burlington following a period of declining health. Joseph was the beloved husband of the late Jacqueline C. (Golden). Born in Medford, Joseph was one of two sons of the late Anne (Buckley) and Joseph F. Curran Sr.
Joseph was a 1950 graduate of Woburn High School. He attended Boston University where he received his bachelor's and master's Degree in History. He began his teaching career in September of 1956 and met the love of his life and bride to be at the Commodore Ballroom in Lowell early in October of that same year. Joseph and Jacqueline celebrated fifty years of marriage prior to her passing 2008.
Joseph was a Woburn High School institution and retired after 38 years as an extraordinary educator. For the first thirteen years of his career he taught history and in 1969 was appointed housemaster while still teaching class and assisting the assistant principal. The housemaster position eventually became a full time position and in 1993 the position was converted into an assistant principal position. He retired from the Woburn Public School System as an Assistant Principal in 1994. Joseph served in many capacities and with several extracurricular activities during his time at Woburn High School. He served as a class advisor. He was also the Key Club Advisor and was very instrumental in organizing the Woburn High School Leo Club and was part of the original group of administrators, teachers and parents that started and established the Woburn High School Scholarship Fund. Joseph also held memberships in a number of professional groups and service groups such as the New England Association of Schools and Colleges. He served as a member, Assistant Chairperson and Chairperson. Joe was extremely proud to be able to give back to the educational community over the years with his vast experiences in many different roles in education. Joe made an impact on many of his students in class and in different school activities that in turn have become life long friends.
Joseph was also a member of the Woburn Host Lions Club and was passionate about Lionism and more importantly eye research sight conservation. Joseph was invited to be a member in 1962 by his colleague, Austie Garvey. From day one Joseph served on the sight conservation committee and served as its chairperson for over thirty-five years. He also served on various committees and worked his way up the offices, serving as a director for several years and also as the clubs financial secretary. In 1969 - 1970 he served as President and was able to attend the Lions International Convention in Tokyo, Japan. The trip also included visits to Taiwan, Hong Kong and Hawaii. Joseph earned the distinction of Life Membership and in 1999 was selected as the Parade Marshal of the annual Host Lions Halloween Parade. In 2000 Joseph was also a recipient of the Charles Kostro Fellowship Award and a Melvin Jones Fellowship Award, the highest form of recognition for his exemplary service to his club and the community. In 2008 he was awarded the MA Lions Eye Research Foundation Sight Award for his dedication and contributions to eye research and sight conservation. One of Joseph's brother lions so eloquently stated that "Joe was the eye research / sight conservation moral compass of the Woburn Host Lions Club". He will be truly missed.
Joseph is survived by his devoted brother, Dr. Kenneth J. Curran and his wife Jill of Gloucester and Bonita Springs, FL. He was the cherished brother-in-law of Patricia Fitzgerald, Celine Krawczyk, Donna Richardson and her husband Robert, John T. Golden and his wife Roberta. He is also survived by many loving nieces and nephews. Cousin of Barbara Curran and William Veno and is further survived by dear friends, Lois Burge, Louise Dempsey, Vincent Conway, Edward and Barbara Gillespie.
Funeral services will be held from the McLaughlin - Dello Russo Funeral Home, 60 Pleasant St., WOBURN, Tuesday, August 28th, at 9 a.m. followed by a funeral mass celebrated in St. Charles Borromeo Church, 280 Main St., Woburn, at 10 a.m. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend. Visiting hours at the McLaughlin - Dello Russo Funeral Home will be on Monday, from 4 thru 8 p.m. Services will conclude with burial at Woodbrook Cemetery, Woburn. It has been requested that in lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made in Joe's memory to one of the following organizations; Sense~ation Curing Kids Fund, c/o Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, 243 Charles St., Boston, MA 02114 or Woburn High School Scholarship Fund, Box 22, Woburn, MA 01801 or the MA Lions Eye Research Fund, Inc., P.O. Box 6050, New Bedford, MA 02740.