Thomas Morton Curry, Jr.

Notes:

Summary by Lois:
Mort was born in New Jersey, but lived in North Kingstown most of his life. He was a principal in the company Clarke, Curry & Brown Inc., a real estate and insurance firm. He was a 30-year member of the Wickford Lions Club, and a member of the RI Audobon Society and the Nature Conservancy. He was also a member of the First Baptist Church of Wickford, where he taught Sunday School. He played golf at Potowomut, Point Judith, and Rolling Green Golf Clubs. He and Pat did square dancing with the Whirlaway Square Dance Club.

Although I had gotten to know him less than a year before his death, I have memories of numerous happy times together with him and mutual family members. Mort was truly a warm, hospitable, and gracious gentleman who enjoyed talking about his family, home, and various interests. In the fall of 2001, he and Pat invited Rich and me, along with our parents, to their home for afternoon tea. We had a wonderful time of conversing and reminiscing, first around the yard overlooking the inlet, and then around the dining room table.

For his memorial service, which was at 11 AM on 13 March 2002, in the First Baptist Church at Wickford, the sanctuary was full. His sister Louise read a poem entitled "To Those I Love and Those Who Love Me." The congregation sang three hymns: "Joyful, Joyful We Adore Thee," "Brighten the Corner Where You Are," and "Blest Be the Tie That Binds." Scriptures read were: Ecclesiastes 3:1-8, John 14:1-6, and Psalm 121. The Rev. Dr. Clifford Hockensmith gave a brief eulogy. Afterwards family and friends went downstairs to enjoy fellowship and refreshments. It was both a sad and joyful time, a very moving and fitting tribute and farewell to Mort -- until we meet again in Glory.

Thomas married Patricia Records 28 Jun 1947. Patricia (daughter of Lawrence Austin Records and Alzada Arnold) was born 1 Jul 1925, Providence, RI; died 26 Feb 2020, North Kingstown, RI. [Group Sheet]

1. Thomas Morton Curry, III was born 20 Aug 1948.
2. Nancy Christine Curry was born 10 Dec 1949; died 11 Dec 1949.
3. Judith Louise Curry was born 13 Mar 1952.

Notes:

Summarized from newspaper article:
Mort Curry was known as the Father of Public Links Golf in Rhode Island. During the 30+ years he played golf in Rhode Island, he won 16 club championships. As President of the RI Golf Association, he worked on behalf of public links and junior and caddy golfers. During his administration, the Triggs Club of public links was admitted to membership, and thus to state tournaments and championships. He himself was an active campaigner and championship golfer at Point Judith Country Club as well as Annaquatucket, Warwick, and Massasoit. He was also a longtime member of noteriety at the Pine Valley Club in New Jersey, considered to have one of the world's hardest courses.

Sylvia tells of an incident in which Mort brought a Jewish friend from New York City to golf with him at Point Judith. Well, there was a prohibition, either understood or stated, against Jews at the club. That "didn't sit too well with Mort." The rule was quickly changed and Mort's friend got to play golf there.

Thomas — Ida C. Ellerbrook. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

This Tom was Philip's great-great-grandfather. His younger son was Thomas Morton, father of T. Morton, Jr., who is the Grandpa Curry we know. The following is from his granddaughter Louise's synopsis of family information:
As a lad of 8, Tom went to work in a mill, and was heard to remark that he wished they were not so poor and that he didn't have to work. In later years, around 1900, Tom started writing a diary of reminiscences. Among other tales, he told of his youthful adventures with a friend, Jim. Tom and Jim would float homemade boats in the river, swim in the swimming hole, catch turtles, explore a small island nearby, and play baseball together. Tom spent hours under a shady tree, reading stories such as Last of the Mohicans, and Scottish Chiefs.
He married Annie Robins Ryan and had three children: Louise Robins, Edward Thomas, and Thomas Morton. They also adopted an orphan girl, Edna, who was a big sister to all of the others, and helped Annie with the household chores. A journal entry for December 1914 expresses Tom's happiness and love for his family, and thankfulness to God for his blessings.
He was short -- 5'3" -- but very strong. For a while he worked in a grocery store in Orange, NJ, and it is said he could carry a barrel of flour all by himself. He taught his sons to be strong, too, by training them to box and fight, along with exercising regularly and using hand grippers. Tom was involved in community activities, and was very patriotic. Pictures of Washington and Lincoln hung in his upstairs hall.
Tom and Annie lived for many years in Englewood, NJ. He was an avid golfer, and also an amateur poet who wrote many poems to members of his family. They had a summer cottage on Long Island, where his grandchildren would spend summer vacations. "Pop" would take them rowing, and when they were out in deep water he would tell them stories about sea monsters. Tom was also a music lover, and would play his harmonica or accordian after the children were put to bed.
Both Annie and Tom had a great faith in God, but he was superstitious, too, as it seemed to him that many of his dreams came true. One day he found a horseshoe and a four-leaf clover, and then business began to improve. He had a little pin made for Annie, a horshoe and clover design lined with tiny pearls.
On April 11, 1928, Tom died in a New York City hospital after an operation for cancer. His obituary eulogizes his community service, including his support for youth sporting activities, his role as founder and administrator of the local American Legion post, charter membership in the volunteer fire department, leadership in putting the trolley extension through Highwood, membership in the Elks Lodge and Phelps Manor Golf Club, and -- despite his age -- enlistment in the Home Guard during World War I. He spent forty-five years with Thomas E. Curry & Co., a New York City wool dealer. But no doubt his greatest influence was within his own family, and on his grandchildren for generations to come.

Thomas married Annie Robins Ryan Abt 1883. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

The following is excerpted from Louise's synopsis of family information:
Edward Curry was first mentioned in the 1861 Green Island Directory. He was a furnaceman, teamster, and soldier of fortune. It is reported that he fought in the Crimean War on the side of the Turks against Russia. Later he left his family and went to California, and is not listed among the residents of Green Island after 1872. In 1874 Ann Curry is listed as a widow, and she probably remarried shortly after that. A story passed down in the family is that Edward's son, Tom, and his stepfather didn't get along, so one day 17-year-old Tom punched him in the nose and moved out.

Edward — Anne Unknown. [Group Sheet]