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THOMAS EDWARD CURRAN III

THOMAS EDWARD CURRAN III obituary, Wellesley, CA

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George F. Doherty & Sons Funeral Home - Wellesley

477 Washington Street

Wellesley, Massachusetts

THOMAS CURRAN Obituary

CURRAN, Thomas Edward III Beloved father, husband, son, brother and friend, Tom passed away suddenly on August 20, 2024 in Los Angeles. Tom looked for the light in every person he met, he was warm, kind and funny and so began his many friendships. Tom also saw the light in nature and humanity and so began his success as a Director of Photography. As an Emmy award winning cinematographer and filmmaker, Tom traveled the world making documentaries and acclaimed television series. Tom was born in upstate New York, but grew up in Alaska, where his father, Tom, Jr., was the District Attorney of Anchorage. He spent his childhood with his siblings, visiting Portage Glacier, skiing at Mt. Alyeska with mom and Maeve, catching fish with Des and Gavin near the cabin and driving the snow-machine in the wilderness, developing a lifelong love for the outdoors and adventure. Tom was a natural athlete and his Dad helped him to be an excellent Little League pitcher. When his beloved father passed away, the family moved to Cape Cod, Massachusetts, where Tom loved boating and fishing the waterways of the Cape with all his Doherty cousins. Tom graduated from Milton Academy, where he developed a talent for photography and later, Boston College, where he played Division I tennis. Tennis would be a passion of his for the rest of his life; he always packed a tennis racquet on his travels and found playing partners all over the world. In college, he made extra dollars as a DJ and loved 80s music, but his true passion was reggae, which he always had playing in his car.   In the beginning of his career, Tom focused on adventure cinematography and shot the Iditarod dog sledding race seven times for ABC, which won him an Emmy Award. He was always so determined to get that perfect shot that he once developed frostbite on his leg hanging out of a helicopter. Tom also produced and directed his own films, his award-winning film "Adrift" aired at many prestigious film festivals, as well as on PBS and was described by the Boston Globe as "deeply personal, resonant and brave." In the film, Tom celebrated his strong relationship and love for his mother, Mary Jane, his brothers, Desmond and Gavin and his sister, Maeve.  After Tom moved to Los Angeles in the early 2000s, his career as a Director of Photography took off. He was a master of documentary hand-held shooting. His shoots were varied, from feature documentaries for HBO to comedies for Netflix to adventure shows for National Geographic. He would go from filming on a glacier in Greenland to shooting fashion icons in Paris to filming fishermen off the coast of Vietnam. Tom owned Curran Camera, an equipment rental business in Los Angeles and was passionate about mentoring young filmmakers.  Tom married his wife, Karin, in 2004 and they welcomed their daughter, Delaney in 2006. He was a wonderful father and husband and the family loved traveling together. Their favorite trip was to Ireland where Tom proved himself a master of driving on the left-hand side of the road and exploring every castle and ruin his daughter could find. Tom was devoted to Delaney and always encouraged her to try new things and was tireless in bringing her to any activity she wanted to do. He was extremely proud of her many accomplishments.  Tom leaves his wife, Karin Hoving; and daughter, Delaney Hoving-Curran of Los Angeles, CA; his mother, Mary Jane Curran and stepfather, Donald Cameron of East Orleans, MA; his sister, Maeve Curran of Las Vegas, NV; and brother, Desmond Curran of Plymouth, MA. His late brother, Gavin Curran, of Martha's Vineyard, MA, predeceased him. A Celebration of Life will be announced at a later date. For online guestbook, gfdoherty.com George F. Doherty & Sons Wellesley 781 235 4100

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Boston Globe from Aug. 26 to Sep. 1, 2024.

Memories and Condolences
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M Hoving

May 26, 2025

Tom was a really awesome brother in law. One time when I visited LA I wanted to go to the SRF Center but I kept getting dizzy trying to drive there, and Tom graciously offered to drive me up the winding hill, asking me how I was doing the whole way. When we got there he even went on the tour with my son Max and I, although he wasn’t interested in the tour as much as the tennis court they have. Tom took a photo of Max and I that day in the Temple of Leaves that is my favorite photo of us (other than the one Tom took of us at the Grand Canyon). I bet there are a lot of people whose favorite photo was taken by Tom- he was a great photographer.
I last saw Tom at Thanksgiving in 2018. It was always fun to have Thanksgiving with Tom because he appreciated all the aspects of a turkey dinner, and he loved football, too.
Tom loved music and made some special “mix tapes” back in the old days. He learned how his loved ones liked their coffee so he could make it for them as a surprise. He also appreciated a fast car. One time as I was preparing to depart after a visit, Tom offered to fill the car with gas -he was always doing nice stuff like that -he was a real gentleman. Anyway, he came back and looked squarely at me and said “that is a very fast car”. He was funny and when he smiled the corners of his eyes would crinkle up and his eyes would sparkle.
He loved Karin and Delaney more than anything and was such a devoted father. He was also a caring uncle who carried Max around on his shoulders as a tot and took him out to play laser tag at 18.
Time is so precious, and many people were blessed to have known Tom because he was present when he shared his time and was genuinely caring. I’m grateful that I had the best brother-in-law that anyone could hope for.
There are a lot of hawks where I live, and I do seem to notice them more than ever before. Some are simply contemplating life on a wire, while others are soaring high and free. Tom will always be missed.

Karin Hoving

April 14, 2025

Think about Tom when you see a magnificent hawk flying, not for any cliche reasons but because those moments of quiet beauty really gave him peace... and I hope they give you that too.

Karin Hoving

March 23, 2025

It's hard to turn the page without you in the next chapter.

Karin

January 6, 2025

Laura Parker Roerden

December 16, 2024

I will forever treasure my friendship with Tom over the years; most especially the years at the Film Posse and the educational outreach projects I was able to do with him on both films Adrift and The Silence. Tom was a gentle spirited, smart, kind, amazing spirit, who had beautiful twinkly Irish eyes. I was grateful for his presence each morning when I entered the Film Posse and the long conversations about direction for the outreach. Tom intuitively understood things about life that most people take a lifetime to master. I will sorely miss him, but remember him with deep gratitude. My heart goes out to Karin and Laney, who I know he adored with all his being.

Hoving Karin

December 15, 2024

Laney and I want to thank you for the love and support that's been surrounding us. We haven't planned a celebration of life yet... If you'd like to visit, Tom is laid to rest at the Newton Cemetery and Arboretum - it's a serene and peaceful place with lots of hawks flying overhead.

Karin Hoving

December 15, 2024

Tom was an incredible husband and father and the sweetest person that I have ever known. Here are some fun facts that you may not have known about him:

1.Tom lived in California for over 20 years and in that time, he became one of those guys who liked wearing shorts all the time. Even when the weather would dip to 40-50 degrees, he wore shorts. It was his thing. He became a true California dude.
2.His favorite hike was Switzer’s Falls in the Angeles Forest. We went there all the time. He would carry the dogs over the water if it was rushing too fast.
3.Tom adored his little vintage Porsche--driving that little car around and zipping quickly on the freeway ramps gave him a lot of joy. He even had an Instagram devoted to the car.
4.He really enjoyed decorating the house for Christmas and we had lots of deer, lasers, and a crazy amount of lights and wrapped trees. Every year got bigger.
5.He made the best omelets in the entire world. It was amazing. Nothing is better than a Tom omelet.
6.Tom was the best parallel parker I have ever seen in my life. He could park a huge rental truck into the smallest spot (everyone saying it can’t be done/ I can’t watch) but in it would go with very little effort. It was awesome.
7.Tom always wanted to learn to fly and take flying lessons but he never got to it.
8.He loved talking politics with my parents who he called Ma and Big Pete. He would call them everyday for what he called “updates from the situation room”. “Hey Big Pete what’s going in the situation room” My parents absolutely adored him.
9.He loved letting the dogs go lose In Griffith Park and have their freedom. I would get uptight (because it’s against the rules!!) but he told me to lighten uphe just liked them to run free. He really adored the dogs.
10.He always preferred to eat at the bar of a restaurant over having a table. One of his favorite night’s out would be going to a fun dive bar like the York and having burgers and a draft beer. If there was a football game on even better.
11.If there was ever a hawk soaring in the sky or hanging out in the tree he would stop and observe it for several minutes. He was fascinated by hawks. There is an entire hawk family that flies around where he is laid to rest.
12.Tom was an atheist but when I met him, he was very interested in Buddhism. He insisted we get married in a Buddhist temple and he found a gorgeous one in Santa Fe, monks were chanting, we had Buddhist rituals and light snow was falling. Gorgeous day 20 years ago Dec 21, 2004.
13.Tom LOVED entertaining—especially hanging around the fire pit, drinking scotch and talking into the night.
14.He always had a football handy in case he found someone who wanted to play a spontaneous game of catch. He even packed his football when he went on shoots. That football has been to more countries than most people.
15.Ever since Laney was born she was the center of Tom’s universe and he would have done anything for her. He was so proud of her many interests and accomplishments and was completely devoted to her. Tom was an amazing husband and father and we will miss him forever.

Steve Murphy

December 11, 2024

I am so sad to see this. My sincere condolences to the family. I met Tom when he first moved to Harwich. We spent a lot of time together around Herring River. RIP

damon zwicker

November 29, 2024

Sad news to see - condolences to family and friends. I worked with Tom on various projects, he was always a pro, an incredible storyteller with the camera and beyond and he will be missed.

John

October 27, 2024

I knew Tom back in his Cape Cod days and would play tennis with him. RIP to a great washahore.

Maisie Kirn

September 4, 2024

Tom was a rare spirit - overflowing with generosity, warmth, and love for those around him. I´ll always hold inspiration from his love for his daughter.

When my cat had to have emergency surgery before thanksgiving and my boyfriend and I were unable to make it home for the holidays, he and Karin had us over at their house in Los Angeles for dinner. We felt among family and they embraced us to the fullest.

I´m certain he will be missed by so many whose lives he touched through his kindness.

Dan Benedict

August 30, 2024

Tom, was a kind man, with a generous spirit, we worked together years ago. It had been a long time since we talked, but this makes me extremely sad, he was definitely one of the good ones. A pretty amazing DP to boot.

Group of 10 Memorial Trees

Anonymous

Planted Trees

Group of 10 Memorial Trees

David Huntley & Laura McGrath

Planted Trees

Tracey L Thiele

August 29, 2024

Tom was my college boyfriend. I couldn´t have wished for a more loving, kind, compassionate first love. His presence the greatest gift during such an impressionable time. So many fun memories, will always cherish time spent together. My deepest condolences to Karin, Laney, Mary Jane, Des and Maeve and the rest of his extended family. May he rest in peace.

Tracey Thiele

August 29, 2024

Tracey Thiele

August 29, 2024

Tracey Thiele

August 29, 2024

Tracey Thiele

August 29, 2024

Group of 10 Memorial Trees

Woulfe Bova Family

Planted Trees

Doug Roerden

August 28, 2024

That full-faced, little-boy-in-a-man smile is what I think of and remember every single time I think of Tom. It's been that way for the more than 20 years I've known him. Thank you, bud, for sharing your friendship, The Film Posse, and your love of life with me. I'll miss you.

Tim Moriarty

August 27, 2024

I have many fond memories of my cousin Tom. He gave me my first tennis lessons; he was an excellent teacher! I remember the road trip to Bates College to see Desmond perform in a play. We lived in different parts of the country, but we were able to connect. Traveling to Dallas to see the screening of Adrift at a film festival was amazing. Tom was so proud of that film. His family came to Austin for my wedding. My family was traveling through Los Angeles for the holidays, and we stopped to see Tom. We had a great visit, and he showed us his home office with the cameras and equipment. We last saw each other when he came to Austin to film a NatGeo show. Over dinner, we reminisced about Cape Cod, tennis and family. I am so happy I have these memories.

Thoughts and Prayers to Karin, Delaney, the Hoving and Curran families.

The Moriarty Family

Austin, TX

Single Memorial Tree

Eddie and Jenn Saenz

Planted Trees

Paul Reynolds

August 26, 2024

Tom was such a Light in the world. It was such fun to share his early days in the media business. A fellow colleague at Boston College called me to see if I'd talk to Tom as he explored a shift from the music/radio sector to film/video. One meeting with me and I was hooked. I knew he had to be part of what we were doing at CF Video. How lucky I was to share adventures, laughs, and fun with Tom. So sorry we've lost such a bright Spirit in the world!

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