Marcus Curry

1952 - 2017

Marcus Curry 1952 - 2017
HERKIMER, NY - Marcus M. Curry died peacefully in his home on March 17, 2017, after a fierce battle with a rare testicular cancer. He was 64 years old.
Marc was born in White Plains, NY, the son of Marcus and Frances (Gowen) Curry. He attended schools in downstate and in upstate New York, where he also obtained a Bachelor's and Master's degree in Social Work.
Marc worked for a number of years as a machinist prior to completion of college and continued to enjoy "hands-on" projects, particularly at his home and the family camp. He was a recovering alcoholic for the past 30 years, and always felt he had been given a second chance at life and was determined to live it to the fullest. As a result, he enjoyed working as a therapist with others in recovery, as well as a variety of issues; he previously worked for Family Services of the Mohawk Valley, the Herkimer Mental Health/Alcohol Clinic and, most recently, in a group private practice at Catherine Bowne & Associates in Herkimer.
Marc met and married the love of his life, Miriam (Phan Pirnie), in 1999, and their marriage served as an example of true partnership and respect to those that knew them. Marc was a unique and complex individual, known by all for his booming and infectious laughter, which always made those around smile as well. He was not perfect, but was incredibly open-minded and kind when warranted and impatient when others were cruel. He would not tolerate the mistreatment of animals by anyone and politically was liberal in his thinking, following national and international news and politics with a passion. He was extremely intelligent, entertaining and amusing, and was considered the "life of the party", while at the same time, completely relying on his wife to keep his world centered. Marc inspired much love and admiration from those whose lives he touched in various ways.
He enjoyed all water sports and boating, fishing and hunting, and loved adding to his collection of knives and knowledge about them. Marc was a life-long drummer, who also recently had been teaching himself to play guitar, and was eclectic in his musical tastes, while remaining a jazz aficionado.
Marc is survived by his wife, Miriam; his two sons, Brent Whittington and Sean Pirnie, of Utica and Herkimer; his granddaughters, Kelsey and Krysta Whittington, both of Utica; as well as his sister, Karen (Curry), of Utica. Additional family members include his mother-in-law, Mary Phan, in Cleveland, Ohio; in-laws, Mary Phan-Gruber and husband, Michael, of Pittsburgh, Margaret Phan and Martha Phan, of Philadelphia; nieces and nephew, Emily and Joshua Phan-Gruber and Maya and Marisa Phan; and other cousins and dear friends. He was predeceased by both parents and his father-in-law, Edward Phan.
His family wishes to thank all the wonderful nurses on the 6th floor at St. Luke's Hospital for their care and kindness throughout Marc's illness, and particularly Dr. Din of Slocum-Dickson, and his staff (Judy and Kendra), for their attentiveness, concern and generosity.
Calling hours will be held on Saturday, March 25th, from 1-3 and 5-7 at the Fenner Funeral Home, Inc., 115 Court St., Herkimer. A private Memorial Service will be held at the family's convenience at a later date.
Expressions of sympathy may be made to the Herkimer Humane Society or the CNY Food Bank; envelopes will be available at the funeral home.