Curran, Maurice F. February 20, 1931 - April 10, 2022

Maurice Francis Curran of Yonkers, NY and Scituate, MA died peacefully at home surrounded by his family on April 10, 2022.  Maurice is survived by his beloved wife, Deborah Curran (Dee) of 61 years, his children, James (Pamela Smith) Curran of Danbury, CT; Maurice H. (Elena) Curran of Falls Church, VA; Amy (Tyrone Flemming) Curran of White Plains, NY; Bridget Curran of Pleasantville, NY; Ceara (Maximilian) Owre of Chapel Hill, NC; and Sara (Paula Nocca) Curran of Yonkers, N.Y.  Maurice was the proud grandfather of eight grandchildren, Clay Curran, Sara Owre, Claire Curran, Evan Owre, Maurice A. Curran, Veronica Curran, Elise Owre, and Elizabeth Flemming. He is survived by his 3 sisters, Maureen (John) Klauser, Margaret Belt and Patricia January as well as many beloved nieces and nephews.  He was predeceased by his parents, James F. Curran and Mary Curran (O’Brien), and brother, James J. Curran.

Maurice received a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy from Saint Joseph’s Seminary in 1952. He earned his law degree from Fordham University in 1958. During the Korean War, he enlisted in the United States Marine Corps.  He served in active duty as the Public Information Officer in the 4^th Marine Regiment stationed in Nara, Japan. He then served as a Reinforced Rifle Platoon Commander in H Company, 3^rd Battalion, 1^st Marine Regiment in the demilitarized zone outside Tambang, South Korea until 1955. He retired as a captain in the USMC Reserve in 1958.

In 1958, following admission to practice law by the State of NY, he began his career as an associate with Kelley, Drye, Newhall & Maginnes, New York City, where he would practice until 1960.  After working as an associate with Wilson & Bave, Yonkers, NY until 1965, he transitioned to corporate counsel and litigation work.  He served as Division Counsel for Merck & Co. Pharmaceuticals, and as Assistant General Counsel for E.R. Squibb & Sons Inc. From 1962 to 1970, he served as legal advisor to the Yonkers Board of Education. In 1970, he was named the chief of the law department and Corporation Counsel for the City of Yonkers.

Maurice re-entered private practice in 1972 as a litigation partner with Bleakley, Platt, Schmidt & Fritz, White Plains, NY.  In 1983, he became a partner with Banks, Curran & Schwam, Mount Kisco, NY, remaining active until 2005 and as counsel until 2018. With Banks, Curran & Schwam, he argued his most notable case, a 1998 appellate defense of Vassar College in a suit that had previously ruled in favor of the plaintiff in the U.S. District Court, Southern District. The Second Circuit Court in New York, sitting en banc, ruled in favor of Vassar College. His defense resulted in the overturn of a ruling for the plaintiff and the establishment of a strong precedent in favor of colleges and other institutions. While in practice, he was an active member of the NYCBA and the Federal Bar Council and served as a trustee of Westchester Community College.

His service to others and care of family was guided by his deep Faith. He was a daily communicant for many years. His devotion to our Blessed Mother gave him great strength.

Calling Hours will be Monday, April 18^th from 4PM-8PM at McGrath Funeral Home in Bronxville. A Funeral Mass celebrating his life will take place on Tuesday, April 19^th at 10:45 AM at Church of St. Joseph in Bronxville. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you consider a donation to Sisters of Charity of NY https://sistersofcharity.com/support-our-mission/or The Abbey of the Genesee in Piffard, NY, https://www.geneseeabbey.org/who-we-are/donation-form/.