Joseph "Paul" Curry

Distinguished physician, beloved husband, father, & grandfather, passed away at the age of 80 in Newport Beach, CA.
Raised in Long Island and later Miami Beach, Paul was recognized early for his remarkable intellect and athleticism. He went on to graduate from the University of Florida College of Medicine in 1971 before beginning his career in emergency medicine at St. Mary Medical Center in Long Beach. For 15 years he served as a dedicated leader in the trauma center, earning numerous awards for his contributions, including founding the American Trauma Society, and authoring the hospital's Emergency Medicine Teaching Manual.
In 1987, Dr. Curry pursued a second specialty in anesthesiology at UCLA, becoming the Chief Resident his final year. In 1989 he joined Newport Harbor Anesthesia Consultants at Hoag Memorial Hospital in Newport Beach, where he devoted the rest of his career. His down-to-earth personality and excellent patient care made him a favorite among patients and colleagues alike. In addition to his work in the O.R., Dr. Curry was a pioneer in patient safety; his work was instrumental in establishing pulse oximetry as a lifesaving standard of care in hospitals worldwide. Dr. Curry was elected by Hoag Hospital to serve as the Chief of Staff for 2005-2007 the only anesthesiologist in the hospital's history to hold the position. Throughout that time, he maintained a position at UCLA as an assistant clinical professor of anesthesiology, finding great joy in his training of anesthesiology residents. Upon retiring from anesthesiology in 2013, he was deemed an honorary member of Hoag's medical staff and continued to guide hospital committees and mentor the next generation of healthcare providers.
At home, Paul found time to coach his daughter's sports teams, maintain a rigorous fitness routine, play both piano and flute, bake prize-winning apple pies, and enjoy annual family ski trips to Steamboat Springs and Park City. Paul will be remembered not only for his clinical excellence, but also for his humor, kindness and generosity of spirit. His legacy lives on in the countless lives he touched both in the hospital and beyond.
He is survived by his wife, Jeanne; his daughters, Lisa, Shannon, Erin, Briana & Megan; his grandchildren, Catherine, Charles & John Paul; and his sisters, Jaye & Mahala.