Francis Crittenden "Crit" Currie

Francis Currie Obituary

CURRIE, Francis Crittenden "Crit"Age 86 of Memphis, died Sunday, October 25, 2009 at St. Francis Hospital. Owner of Crit Currie & Co. Real Estate; he is survived by his wife, Eleanor Bradford Currie and two sons, Bradford Currie of Nashville, TN and Crit Currie, Jr. of Jackson, TN. He is also survived by his brother, Coleman Currie of Lovingston, VA and four grandchildren, Crit Currie III, Nicholas Currie, Anna Linn Currie and Nate Currie. Crit was a WWII Army Air Corp veteran. He was a major promoter of one design small boat sailboat racing in the mid-south since the 1950's. A family inurnment service will be held 1 p.m. Wednesday, October 28, 2009 at St. George's Episcopal Church columbarium in Nashville, TN. The family will receive friends at their home in Memphis beginning at 3 p.m. on Tuesday, October 27, 2009. In lieu of flowers, the family request memorials be sent to St. Francis Hospital in Memphis or Vanderbilt Children's Hospital of Nashville. CANALE FUNERAL DIRECTORS, (901) 452-6400.

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Published by The Tennessean on Oct. 27, 2009.

Memories and Condolences
for Francis Currie

11 Entries

david

July 23, 2018

On Christmas Eve in 1972 I pursued Crit for his 1959 Benz convertible, which I restored and enjoyed for many years. Crit and Eleanor were the finest people who I held in high esteem.

Jim Carson

November 6, 2009

My fondest memory of Crit was his gracious hosting of me and my crew as we passed through Memphis on our way to some regatta (probably the West Coast). I remember particularly the liesurely southern breakfast on the veranda. Crit was a great friend of the Lightning Class and a great competitor. I'm sure he is smiling down on the Bluenose this weekend. With warmest regards to Crit's family and fond memories including the "Currie Knot" we still use.

Kirk and Edna Johnson

October 31, 2009

We are really sorry to hear about big Crit. When we first moved to Memphis I got his name and number and called him to talk about buying some kind of sailboat. I said we weren't interested in racing, we just needed a boat big enough for 2 adults and 2 little girls. He said "honey, any time two sailboats are on the water at the same time, they're racing." And he was right. Because of him we're still racing a Lightning more than 40 years later! For us, he was Mr. Lightning. Eleanor, Crit and Brad, he'll be so missed.

Karen Johnson

October 31, 2009

Miss Eleanor, Bradford, Little Crit:
I am so sorry to hear this. Big Crit was the first skipper I sailed with besides my dad, and he set the bar very high for how skippers should behave. A true southern gentle man. Too many great memories to list here. I hope you are all coping as well as possible. You're all in my thoughts and prayers.

Brian Hayes Sr.

October 30, 2009

I was saddened today to hear about Crit. As a young boy growing up in Connecticut I recall reading stories in the Lightning yearbooks and Flashes about the exploits of the Currie clan, led by Crit. Over the years, as my involvement in the ILCA grew, I came to know more about Crit and his devotion to the ILCA and sailing as well as his generous spirit. The ILCA has lost one of our legends and he will be remembered fondly.

Our thoughts and prayers are with Currie family and friends.

Brian, Kelley, Olivia and Brian Jr.

Bill Killebrew

October 28, 2009

Crit and I ran neck and neck in the Ugly Boat Contest in Memphis about ten years ago, he with a purple metalflake boat named" The Plumbers" and I with a faded orange/red/brown boat named "Malcolm X" . He gave me top honors, an extraordinarily generous gesture in my opinion. We will miss him.

William Hofmeister

October 27, 2009

My fondest memory of Crit is from the Lightning Districts in Decatur. We were drifting around near the weather mark in a big cluster and Crit, brandishing a paddle, challenged any competitor to "touch" his boat. I had no idea sailing was a close, hand-to-hand combat sport! As a lover of small boat sailing, I owe a lot to Crit. His devotion to the sport made sailing better for all of us. We have missed him on the race course of late and will remember him each time we go sailing.

Frank Bermel

October 27, 2009

We are so sorry that Crit passed. He was one of a kind. He left a lot of people with a lot of good memories.

With lots of love,
Frank & Gail Bermel

Mandy Hofmeister

October 27, 2009

A sailing legend in the Lightning class. He will be sorely missed.
My thoughts and prayers go out to his family.
Sincerely,
Mandy Hofmeister

Deanna Newman

October 26, 2009

So very sorry to hear of your loss. Mom, Dad, Clarke & I have very fond memories of Crit Sr. You all are in our thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.
Sincerely,
Deanna Newman

Mitzi Crick

October 26, 2009

I met Mr. Currie in 2007 while serving as Director of External Affairs for The Webb School. I enjoyed my conversations and visits with him.

I am sorry for your loss and pray your family finds peace during this difficult time.

Mitzi H. Crick

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