Keith Curry died at his home in Mattapoisett early Saturday morning August 3, 2024 in the company of his loving wife, Sheila Tierney Curry and his adoring lab, Maddie. Keith was the proud son of Mary Isabella “Bella” (Lima) and James F. Curry, both of whom predeceased him.
Keith grew up in the south end of New Bedford with his two older sisters, Cindy and Sharon, whom he adored. In his youth, he was a gifted and competitive athlete, including years as a standout baseball player for Bishop Stang High School. He graduated in 1971 and, during his years there, made life-long friends. Keith was always proud of being a “Spartan”.
Later in life, golf became a passion of his and he spent many happy hours at Reservation Golf Club. Some of his matches were legendary for their competitiveness and Keith’s ingenious methods of psyching out his opponents – he was known to send sympathy cards and flowers to those he beat. Keith also served on the Board of Directors of the club including terms as treasurer during the club’s lean years and as an outstanding Entertainment Chairman who threw memorable parties and events, including “Men Who Cook” and “Set It and Forget It” dinner parties. This is where he met and began his almost 36 year relationship with his wife, Sheila.
Keith was a jack of all trades and worked in a factory as a teenager and in construction, survey work, retail sales and finally as an able bodied seaman with the Woods Hole, Martha’s Vineyard, Nantucket Steamship Authority as an adult. His motto was “work smarter, not harder!”
His work career was shortened by significant heart issues that developed when Keith was in his mid-thirties. He endured decades of serious health issues without complaint or self-pity. He never allowed his physical limitations to interfere with his love and enjoyment of life.
Keith was known for his generous heart. He was thoughtful, extremely quick-witted and funny. He was a world-class tease and lover of a good argument who also enjoyed joking, laughing and making others laugh. His superpower was being the best friend one could ever hope to have – those who were lucky enough to have him as a friend understand. He will be greatly missed by those who knew him.
In addition to his wife and dog, Keith is survived by his maternal aunt, Elaine R. Boutin, his two sisters, Cynthia Curry (and her husband, David Grande) and Sharon Curry, his nephews, Ryan DeTerra (and his wife, Jacqueline) and Vincent Trapozzano, his great-nephews, Cole DeTerra and Vincenzo Trapozzano, and his great, great-nephew, Cole DeTerra, Jr., his sisters-in-law, Moira E. Tierney, and Kara Tierney (and her husband, Dr. Doug Smink), his brothers-in-law, John E. Tierney (and his husband, Robert Brichacek) and Dr. Matthew J. Tierney (and his wife, Tricia Swain-Tierney), and many nieces, nephews, great-nephews and nieces on his wife’s side, all of whom he loved very much.
His Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Friday August 9th at 11 am at St. Lawrence Church, 565 County St., New Bedford. Visiting hours will be on Thursday August 8th from 4-8 pm at the Saunders-Dwyer Mattapoisett Home for Funerals, 50 County Rd., Route 6, Mattapoisett. In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made to the Boys and Girls Club of New Bedford, 166 Jenney St., New Bedford, MA 02740 or the Dennison Memorial Community Center, 755 South First St., New Bedford, MA 02744. For online condolence book, please visit www.saundersdwyer.com.
