John J Curtin, 1938 - 2024
The community lost one of its stalwarts, a quiet, humble man who led by example and inspired others to do good things. John J. Curtin passed away August 10, 2024, while in hospice at Palos Hospital, the result of several strokes.
John left his mark on the community in many ways. He served and accepted his turn at leading local fraternal organizations including Father Perez Knights of Columbus Council #1444, Holy Family Assembly # 2255, Ancient Order of Hibernians, St. Gerald Parish, and the Clare Association of America. These organizations have a common theme which emphasizes service to the community.
In 1959 at 21 years of age, Curtin immigrated to the USA and began his craftsman career as a church handyman, eventually working for a painting contractor in New York.
He was the oldest of Denis and Mary Curtin’s seven children who lived on and worked a farm in Miltown, Malbay, Clare, Ireland: Mary, Gerard, Kathleen, Stephen, Anne, and Teresa. Born April 15, 1938, John farmed, worked as a delivery driver and then a barman in Dublin before immigrating to New York.
He lived in New York for 9 months when he and Mary Thynne, whom he had known in Ireland, reacquainted. Mary lured him to Chicago and into marriage. The couple settled in St. Rita Parish. John and Mary raised 3 sons, Sean, Mike, and James.
After a stint with a contractor, John, a union painter, made the most of his opportunities to learn and struck out on his own. As a contractor, he remodeled, painted, wallpapered, tiled and eventually built homes and three-flats. His work was renowned because he did it right the first time. This humble man took pride in his craftsmanship, and he understood that returning to correct mistakes costs dearly in time and money.
As a contractor he made it a point to know tradesmen across the spectrum. This benefited his many friends and acquaintances. John always had a “guy” to whom he could refer people, if John could not handle the job. The guys were cut from the same bolt of cloth as John: honest, perfectionists, and economical.
John’s friends often asked him to drop by their houses to assess a small project. John would make suggestions and true to his generous spirit of service wander back and complete the task for a thank you and perhaps a pint of Guinness.
Father Ryan Brady, current pastor at St. Christina, officiated John’s funeral mass and said this during the homily. “I knew John for well over 20 years. John had painted my family’s home and was the man who supported my vocation. John saw his craft as not only an opportunity to do something well, but to do something kind. John insisted on addressing me as Father Ryan, out of respect for the priesthood, even though I let him know he could call me Ryan.”
John’s children had a father. They recall taking vacation trips during the summer at the height of a contractor’s season. John also took his turn as Scoutmaster of Troop 3485. He attended the birth of each grandchild: Clare, Ellen, Raymond, Coleen, Denis, and George. According to son Jim, they adored him; he spoiled them. John was anticipating the birth of his first great grandchild this October.
Matt Stevens, Past Grand Knight of Father Perez Knights of Columbus Council #1444 cited John’s work ethic. “John was in his early 80s when the Perez Club House needed overdue remodeling. John pitched in. He tiled the entire clubhouse floor, built an indoor grotto for a statue of Mary, Our Lady and built a frame for the Council’s first banner (1909) which is now safe from the ravages of light, dust and time.”
Son, Jim, notes that John instilled that work ethic in his children and grandchildren as a role model and sometime, with direct intervention.
There was one member of John’s extended family who was eligible for the Special Olympics and John was enamored by John F. Kennedy. So, it is no surprise that John committed to supporting programs that addressed the quality of life needs of Special Olympians. According to Grand Knight Ed Fineran, John was corner captain during the Council’s annual “Tootsie Roll Drive” drive at 111th and Western for many years. He also convinced the owners and operators of businesses like Clancy’s Pizza Pub, Just My Luck, West End, Copper Top and more to have donation cans near their cash registers to make is easy for folks to donate all year round to the “Tootsie Roll Drive.”
John, a man of few words, never sought the limelight. However, his colleagues recognized his subtle and effective leadership skills and elected him to serve as Grand Knight of Perez from 2015-2016, Faithful Navigator of Holy Family Assembly for 2014-2015, and President and then Financial Secretary of the Ancient order of Hibernians.
John’s servant-leadership did not go unrecognized. In 2017 the Clare Association named him Clareman of the Year. In 2019 the South and South Suburban Grand Knight and Past Grand Knights Club recognized John at its annual dinner as a tribute to his dedication and service to his Church, Communities, and as a friend to those in need.
John supported our police. He organized and led the rosary at 5 police stations on summer Saturdays for several years: Chicago Districts 8 & 22, Hometown, Oak Lawn, and Evergreen Park.
When the Southside Pregnancy Center needed an ultrasound machine to counsel women, John led a campaign that raised $15,000. The Knights of Columbus Supreme Council matched it, and the ultrasound machine was purchased.
John directly and indirectly impacted the lives of us lucky enough to know him as a friend, colleague, and coworker and many people who never had the fortune of knowing him. His family and friends entombed him at Holy Sepulcher on August 21st.
John Curtin, middle, shown with Father Perez Knights of Columbus Council #1444 Past Grand Knights, left to right: Charles Copps, Brendan Farrell, John Curtin, Jack Ullrich, and Bob Griffin in 2015.
John Curtin, gifted craftsman & quiet servant leader passed away 8-10
