STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — Former Staten Island borough parks commissioner Joseph M. Curran, Jr., whose career shaped Staten Island’s future as the “Borough of Parks,” died at home in Aberdeen, New Jersey on Jan. 7. He was 89.
Curran was born and raised on Staten Island. He grew up in Port Richmond and Westerleigh and went to Port Richmond High School.
According to a family obituary, at a young age, Curran joined the U.S. Naval Reserve, serving honorably for eight years.
He then dedicated nearly four decades to the New York City Parks Department. According to Staten Island Advance archives, Curran began in the Parks Department as a gardener and rose through the ranks.
Over the years, he worked as a tractor operator, a seasonal park supervisor and foreman of Washington Square Park in Manhattan.
He served as Staten Island’s first-ever borough commissioner, working in the role for 14 years. He was given the role in 1981 as part of an experiment to give more responsibility to borough parks managers.
Curran played a role in the creation of numerous Staten Island parks, perhaps most notably preserving and acquiring land for the Staten Island Greenbelt.
During his tenure, the Parks Department holdings on Staten Island grew to more than 6,000 acres. He was also instrumental in the establishment of Blue Heron Park, Bloomingdale Park and Kingsfisher Pond Park.
He was involved in creating the Parks Department’s education and recreational programs through the Urban Park Rangers, the Park Enforcement Police and environmental education programs.
Curran retired in December 1992.
After his retirement, he was honored by then-Borough President Guy Molinari, who presented Curran with a book on horse-breeding as his peers lauded him with a standing ovation.
At the time, Molinari said Curran was “an example of what every public servant should be.”
In brief remarks at the ceremony, Curran said “I am very proud of what I was able to accomplish with Guy and the other borough presidents. They all had a love for the Parks Department.”
Pictured left to right are city Parks Commissioner Henry Stern, borough Parks Commissioner Joseph M. Curran Jr; Assemblywoman Elizabeth Connelly, and Borough President Ralph Lamberti breaking ground for a rehabilitation project at Willowbrook Park in 1989.Staten Island Advance
As borough parks commissioner, he was active in the Staten Island community and represented the borough in various public events such as riding with the NYC Central Park Mounted Police in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade and participating several times in St. Patrick’s Day Parades on Staten Island and in New York City.
Outside of his career, Curran had a passion for animals and was especially skilled with horses. He obtained his USTA Trainers and Drivers’ Licenses and owned and trained horses that raced at East Coast tracks such as Meadowlands and Freehold Raceway.
He also had a passion for golf, flying and blackjack. On Staten Island, Curran participated in the Celebrity Golf Classic tournament. He earned his student pilot license and flew a Cessna 150, and he competed in various blackjack tournaments.
Joseph M. Curran Jr., borough parks commissioner pictured in the middle with Ivan Lisnitzer, assistant parks commissioner to the left and Councilman Jerome O’Donovan as Deputy Borough President Ralph Lamberti outlines plans to save Silver Lake Golf Course in 1983.Staten Island Advance
Curran was predeceased by his parents, Helen and Joseph Michael Curran Sr.; his brother, Robert Curran, and wife Roberta and his sister, Patricia Brozean.
He is survived by his wife of 66 years, Ethel Curran; his son, Joseph M. Curran III, and wife Jacqueline; his daughter, Ethel O. Curran; his grandson, Joseph Thomas Curran and many loving nieces and nephews.
A visitation will be held on Sunday, Jan. 11 from 1 – 4 p.m. at the Holmdel Funeral Home, 26 South Holmdel Road, Holmdel. A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered on Monday, Jan. 12 at 10 a.m. at St. Benedict Roman Catholic Church, 165 Bethany Road, Holmdel.