Obituary of Thomas J. Curtin, Jr.

Thomas J. Curtin, Jr.  age 68, of Massapequa and Richmond Hill, died on Thursday, May 25, 2017.  Tom was born on December 17, 1948 to two loving parents:  Thomas J. Curtin Sr. (deceased 2004) and Anne E. Johnston (deceased 1993).  He had two brothers that he dearly loved: Kevin Curtin (deceased 2000) and Jimmy Curtin (deceased 2015). 

Tom is survived by two children:  Megan (husband, Jason Roth) and Thomas J. Curtin III, and his grandson Theodore Kevin Roth.  Tom is also survived by Patricia Delaney-Curtin, the mother to his children and a dear friend throughout his life.  Tom is further survived by two nephews (Michael Curtin and Brian Curtin) and many relatives and friends.

Tom was a man of many talents – a true Renaissance man.  He was a huge history buff (including Civil War history, New York City history and his own genealogy) and had an amazing memory for even the most minuscule details.  Tom also had an incredible sense of humor, and could even manage to crack a smile on someone's face with even the corniest of jokes.  Tom was always a class clown and managed to brighten up a room even on the darkest of days.  

Tom was an avid train and lithograph collector, and he had great taste in music (#1 Kinks fan) and movies (especially comedies such as Blazing Saddles). One of his favorite pastimes occurred at swim meets and later coaching children in this sport. He was also loving and devoted to his dogs and always considered them to be part of the family.

Above all else, Tom was an amazing dad, relative, and friend. The absolute best. He was the type of person who would give someone the shirt off of his back. He was genuine, charismatic, unconditionally loving and caring and a calming force in everyone’s lives. Despite his condition with Parkinson’s, he always had a smile on his face and a great outlook on life.

Tom was also a proud alumni of Saint Francis Prep and Saint Francis College – “GO TERRIERS!” Throughout high school, college, his hard working career, joining a bereavement group and during his entire journey in life, Tom developed extraordinary and remarkable friendships. It was an absolute privilege to be part of his life.

When Tom went through the difficult period of losing his brother Kevin, he told Kevin that when his time comes – that he wanted Kevin to come for him and show him the way. While it’s extremely heartbreaking and painful to lose Tom, we hope that Kevin did show him the way and that he is in peace with his family.

Dad – we all love you, will hold onto our special memories of you and will cherish you forever. “Be Good.”

Visiting hours will be Tuesday, May 30th from 2-4pm & 7-9:30pm at Clair S. Bartholomew & Son, Inc., 302 Bedford Avenue, Bellmore, NY 11710.

Funeral and mass service will take place on Wednesday May 31st at 9:45am at St. Barnabas Church in Bellmore, NY. Burial at St. John Cemetery in Middle Village, NY.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research in Tom’s honor.