Raymond P Curran, Jr.

Raymond P. Curran, Jr.                                                     1945 - 2007   HOLYOKE---Raymond P. Curran, Jr, 62, a lifelong resident of Holyoke, died Wednesday in Cooley Dickinson Hospital, Northampton.  Born and educated in Holyoke, Ray was a graduate of St. Jerome School and Holyoke Catholic High School.  He received his Bachelors and Masters Degrees in Civil Engineering from the University of Mass., Amherst.    Ray was a Civil Engineer with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (NRCS) for over 35 years, retiring in 2005.  Ray worked all over the state of Mass., and was the design and project engineer for the Greenfield Dam, Sandersfield Dam, and the Washington Falls Brook Watershed Dam.  He designed the Bash Bish Falls Recreational Center, worked with Ducks Unlimited in the East, and did flood work in Georgia and Colorado. He was proud to have worked on these projects with Chester Konieczny, Paul Benjamin, Lorraine Spence, & Kate Parson.    Ray enjoyed golfing with his partner and good friend Jim Carner, was an avid N.Y. Yankees fan, and enjoyed trips to Hampton Beach.  Ray served in the U.S. Navy during the Viet Nam War.   He leaves his wife of 33 years, the former Mary A. O'Shea, two sons, Raymond P. Curran III of Denver, CO, Tim A Curran of Holyoke, and a daughter, Debra E.M.M. Lizon and her husband Chris of Springfield, a brother Ronald Curran and his wife Anne Marie of South Hadley, 2 nieces Michelle          , and Paige Kelly Curran, and a nephew David Curran. Ray also leaves his friend and co-worker Paul and all of his co-workers at NRCS. Funeral services and burial with Military Honors in the Mass. Veteran's Memorial Cemetery, Agawam is private. There are no calling hours.  Arrangements entrusted to Tylunas Funeral Home of Chicopee.  Memorial contributions in Ray memory may be made to Holyoke High School Student Store, Beech St., Holyoke, Ma  01040