Peter Michael Curry

Judge Peter Michael Curry, age 84, of San Antonio, died Saturday, December 15, 2001. The child of Lebanese immigrants, Peter Michael learned early the value of hard work and at age 7 began odd jobs in the neighborhood. At 4:00 a.m. he walked from his near west side home to the market buying vegetables for his family and neighbors. He had a brief tenure at a shop that processed and prepared poultry for market which prompted his lifelong aversion to chicken. As a graduate of Thomas Jefferson High School, he was inspired by a teacher to go on to college whereupon Peter Michael sold his bicycle for $14.75 and headed for the University of Texas at Austin. Along the way he met and roomed with future Texas Governor John Connally whom he helped promote to become president of the student body. Cleaning latrines for a nursery school, waiting tables, and existing on bananas and milk for a summer were a few of the hardships he experienced. Necessity demanded that he work several jobs at a time to pay college tuition and living expenses. Nephew Anthony Nicholas recently recalled, "When Pete graduated from UT, my parents put a bed on the porch for him so he could afford to go to law school. I'd get up at 2:00 or 3:00 in the morning to go the bathroom, and Pete would be sitting there on the floor with his books studying. I don't know how he did it." After passing the State Bar, Peter Michael returned to San Antonio to practice law but was interrupted by the onset of World War II. Along with his brother, Joe, he joined the U.S. Army Air Corps, trained first in the infantry, then in flight school and finally was assigned a role as an intelligence officer where his ability to speak five languages was utilized. His lifelong love for England was cemented during the years he was stationed there, and he maintained devoted friendships to his final days. With the ending of the war, Peter was able to pursue the practice of law with characteristic determination and a consuming passion for the underdog. He met lovely Mary Margaret Nelligan and her young son, Bruce, and they were soon married. The happy union produced the children who were a source of great pride to him. Peter was a hands-on father, changing diapers and in charge of nighttime feedings. Under his influence Terri, Michael, Kathleen and Bruce emulated their father in becoming lawyers. When John Connally decided to run for governor, Peter Michael worked with him for election and was rewarded with an appointment to the newly created 166th District Court, where he remained until mandatory retirement after 30 years. While serving on the District Court, Peter was made Administrative Judge of the 4th Judicial District and distinguished himself with the longest service in the county's history. Although many of the cases he adjudicated were high profile and "hot potatoes", Peter never avoided tough issues and presided over his court with flair, wit and a devotion to fairness and justice. His creative contribution to jury selection and trial procedures were emulated throughout the country. As his career blossomed, Peter Michael never forgot the opportunities given him and practiced his strong belief of giving back to the community a measure of what had been afforded him. He was an active member of many boards; including Legal Aid, Children's Service Bureau, Boy Scouts, Epilepsy Center of South Texas, Kidney Foundation, San Antonio Arts Council, Cultural Participation at Hemisfair, San Antonio Symphony Society, Texas Opera Company and San Antonio Opera Guild, San Antonio Art Institute, River Art Group, San Antonio Little Theatre, McNay Art Institute, Men of Art Guild, and championed organizations that provided rehabilitation for substance abusers. Additionally, Peter was a great friend to the Good Samaritan Center on San Antonio's west side. Retirement imposed by law on senior jurists only altered the setting for the dispensing of justice as Peter continued presiding by assignment in Bexar County and occasionally in Laredo and other south Texas cities. February 2002 would have been the anniversary of his 39 years on the bench. Interspersed with court dates, Peter fine-tuned the art of mediation which he had been practicing long before it was recognized as such. After the death of his beloved Mary Margaret, Peter met and married Marthe Downing and embraced her teenagers Tish and Chris with warm affection that was reciprocal. Peter found a new love when the children presented him with the three puppies that quickly became his adoring companions. A voracious reader, Peter Michael maintained a personal library of thousands of volumes covering a variety of subjects. Days off at his weekend home in the Hill Country, Peter relished the hard physical labor involved in maintaining Molesworth, and he and Marthe became frequent travelers to Europe, spending Christmases in England. Hoping to infect his grandchildren with the enrichment of travel, Peter made it possible for them to participate in college abroad programs and delighted in touring this past July with his youngest grandson, Sam. Not the least of his lovely qualities but one that was cherished was his remarkable and practical generosity. The children chuckle fondly in recalling gifts of vegetables, soaps, cut glass vases, manicure sets and even hand tools in addition to more substantial items. Peter Michael practiced his faith quietly allowing his actions to speak for his beliefs. He was genuine, gentle, compassionate and a man who deeply touched and influenced those who knew and loved him. Survivors: wife, Marthe Curry; daughters, Terri Curry Peace and Kathleen Curry; son, Michael Curry; stepdaughter, Tish Tucker; stepsons, Bruce Robertson, Jr. and Chris Hagee; granddaughters, Suzanne, Heather, Alison, Mckenzie; grandsons, Joey and Sam; sister, Josephine Karam; numerous nieces and nephews. A ROSARY WAS HELD MONDAY EVENING AT ST. GEORGE MARONITE CATHOLIC CHURCH With Father John Al-Nahal officiating. SERVICE TUESDAY 3:00 P.M. RECONCILIATION EPISCOPAL CHURCH 8900 STARCREST SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS The Right Reverend James Folts and the Reverend David Wendell officiating. Pallbearers: Sam Alkek, Michael Curry, Judge Orlando Garcia, Chris Hagee, Clem Lyons, Pat Maloney, Sr., Anthony Nicholas, Bruce Robertson, Jr., Joey Snell and Jim Tucker. Honorary Pallbearers: Judge Sol Casseb, Ray Cossey, J.D. Downing, Jack Paul Leon, Judge Michael Mery and Glenn MacTaggart. In view of his lifelong love of music, the family requests in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions be made to the San Antonio Symphony, 222 E. Houston St., San Antonio, TX 78205. Interment in Mission Burial Park North. The family invites you to leave a message or memory in the guest book at www.porterloring.com by selecting the Sign and view Family Guestbook icon. Arrangements with Porter Loring Mortuary.