Thomas Curran

Curran, Thomas Vincent
July 5, 1926 - June 12, 2012
Thomas Vincent Curran, beloved husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, uncle and cherished friend, died on June 12, 2012, in Beaverton, OR. He was 85. Tom was born in Los Angeles on July 5, 1926, to Katharine Marren Curran and John Patrick Curran. He spent most of his youth and adult life in the Los Angeles area where he raised his family in Granada Hills and worked in marketing and sales in the electronics and information display industries. He also spent several years with companies in Los Gatos, CA, Horsham, PA, and ultimately Beaverton, OR, where he served as manager of federal systems for Planar Systems. Details were most important to Tom and he'd probe and question everything and everyone with his lifetime of experience -- and his unyielding curiosity. He was the consummate mentor to his family and was present to share with anyone who sought his advice, or support. It was a mutual love of big band jazz that drew him to his second wife, Nancy Johnson, where they spent 12 years dancing, traveling to visit family on both coasts and to see the world together. Tom and Nancy enjoyed the company of Portland jazz buffs, opening their home to big band enthusiasts and friends who loved the standards. He served as the Sunset Traffic Jam's drummer and many nights the band practiced at their home perfecting their sound and unique drifts, mostly staged in retirement homes to lighten the hearts of elderly residents. Tom last played the drums with the group on May 20, 2012, at the adult retirement community Edgewood Downs with his 'roadie' Nancy and his visiting daughter Fran Rossi beaming from the audience. Tom was a charter member of the Society of Information Display, serving as the organization's publications and publicity committee chairman. He was granted a Life Membership earlier this year for his longtime commitment to the Society. He was forever fascinated by electronics and challenged to repair everything from a broken toaster to a jammed garage door to a flickering light bulb. No job was beyond his ability, or his stubborn persistence. He was an avid reader who loved tennis and the Lakers, the color Irish Kelly green, and his vintage Maserati. Throughout his life he was intensely devoted to his children and was their biggest fan. His eternal optimism served as a guiding light to his family, and his unconditional love gave them the strength and confidence to succeed. His children with his former wife of 42 years, Frances Stevens Curran, include Mary Jeanne Reynales (David Grucza), Jane Pandell (Alexander), Joanne Angel (Don), Juliana Terian, Thomas (Anat), Jennifer Steets (Richard) and Frances Rossi (Justin). He also leaves behind his adored stepdaughters Victoria Johnson and Jennifer Johnson Rothman and her daughters Claire, Alex and Isabel Beckenstein. Tom is also survived by his beloved grandchildren Alison Haljun (Jim); Gina and Lucy Reynales; Jerome Pandell; Jonathan, Tomare and Jordan Curran; Olivia Terian; Robert Jon Angel; Charlotte, Elizabeth and Margaret Rossi; and Pearl and Jackson Steets; and his precious great-grandaughters Curran and Blaney Haljun. Also, sisters-in-law Marian Curran and Joan Curran, and scores of nieces and nephews. Tom will be interred at Mt. Calvary Cemetery in Portland next to his uncle and namesake, Thomas Marren, where the Ancient Order of Hibernians of Portland commissioned the Celtic Cross to commemorate the Oregon Irish Potato Famine Memorial. Victims of the famine emigrated to Portland via the Oregon Trail, or sailed by ship around the Horn, comprising the largest number of foreign born citizens in Portland in the mid 1800s. Tom was a member of the Hibernians. A memorial wake celebrating Tom's life will be held on Friday, June 15, at the Stock Pot restaurant in Beaverton. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Tom's name to Lewis and Clark College for music scholarships and instruments.