Salvatore P. Curcuru

GLOUCESTER — Capt. Salvatore P. "Sam" Curcuru, 87, of Sheedy Park, died early Wednesday morning, Sept. 2, 2009 in the Seacoast Nursing & Rehabilitation Center.

He was the husband of the late Antoinette (Lavorante) Curcuru, who died in 1979 and the late Ina Claire (Cudmore) Ouelette Curcuru.

Born in Gloucester on Nov. 9, 1921, he was the son of the late Joseph and Angela (Nicastro) Curcuru. He was lifelong resident of Gloucester and had attended Gloucester public schools.

A U.S. Navy veteran of World War II, he served as a Boatswain's Mate aboard the U.S.S. Merapi and was honorably discharged in October of 1945.

Sam was the captain of the f/v Holy Name until 1963. He then worked for many years aboard numerous vessels including the Dolphin, Mary Rose and Holy Family.

In the 1970's he became the night watchman at the former O'Donnell-Usen on the Fort and later at the Cape Ann Marina. Never one to sit idle, Sam continued to work into his eighties for his son, Joe, at JJ's Distributing and tuna fishing aboard his grandson Peter's boat, the Cabaret IV.

He was a life member of the St. Peter's Club and proudly carried the statue of St. Peter in the procession for many years. He was also a member of the Capt. Lester S. Wass Post #3, American Legion and the Amvets Post #32 of Gloucester.

He is survived by his daughter, Joanne Libro of Gloucester, two sons and daughters-in-law, Joseph and Joan (Arnold) Curcuru of Beverly Hills, Fla., and Salvatore, Jr., husband of Bonnie (Rose) Curcuru of Westwood; three stepchildren, Kim MacIsaac, Karen Ruphard and David Ouelette all of Rockport; nine grandchildren, Peter Libro and Michelle Libro, Kristen Florentino, Jennifer Curcuru, Courtney Rose, Jason and Jeffrey Carpenter, Kailee Ruphard and Michael MacIsaac and two great-grandchildren, Annabella Lacey Florentino and Jackson Edward Hennessey. He also leaves two aunts, Annie Curcuru and Mary Parisi; five sisters, Grace, wife of Vito Favaloro, Felicia Aiello, all of Gloucester, Rosalie, wife of Anthony Genovese of Cape May, N.J., Jennie, wife of George McKinnon of Beverly and Fena Souza of Gloucester; five brothers, John, husband of Beverly Curcuru of California, Ben, husband of Debbie Curcuru, Phillip, husband of Joyce Curcuru and Joseph, husband of Grace Curcuru, Anthony, husband of Jean Curcuru all of Gloucester; two sisters-in-law, Jennie Curcuru, Fannie, wife of Alvin Williams and many nieces, nephews and cousins. He was also predeceased by his brother, James Curcuru; sister, Mena Misuraca; stepson, Richard Ouelette and brothers-in-law; Claude Souza, Anthony "Nutzie" Aiello and Vito Misuraca.

ARRANGEMENTS: His funeral Mass will be celebrated on Saturday in the Holy Family Parish, St. Ann Church at noon. Visiting hours will be held on Friday in the Pike-Grondin Funeral Home, 61 Middle St., Gloucester from 6 to 8 p.m. Relatives and friends are cordially invited to attend. Interment will be held in the Calvary Cemetery. For more information and to send online condolences, please visit www.grondinfuneralservices.com.