Thomas and Ruth Curran Family Fund
Thomas Curran, Sr. may not have been born and raised in the Valley, but he was certainly one of its fondly adopted sons. Originally from Walpole, Massachusetts, young Tom moved to Michigan to work for General Motors. In 1963, he was transferred to Shelton as GM's Eastern Regional Sales Manager, and found a permanent home in the Valley. Together with his wife, high school sweetheart, Ruth, they raised six children - Kathleen, Tom Jr., Chris, Jim, Trish, and Michael - many of whom still live in Shelton.
Thomas Curran, Sr. was an extremely giving and caring man, involved in fundraising and charitable efforts not only in Shelton, but also in Stratford and Westport, through his businesses at Curran Volkswagen and Curran Cadillac Pontiac GMC Truck. He was one of the founders of the Oldsmobile Scramble, which became the largest amateur golf tournament in the world, and served on its national Board of Directors for 25 years. He was active in the Connecticut Irish Golf Open, and was a member of both the CT Irish Club and the Civitan Club. He was a committed supporter of VARCA, and was a charter member and loyal parishioner of Huntington's St. Lawrence Church. He was also proud member of Red Sox nation.
Family always came first with Tom.
"We grew up in a neighborhood where everyone would always come out for block parties, to just spend time together," said daughter Kathleen Curran Hurley. "We're still close to everyone there that we grew up with. My dad was quite the jokester - he never took himself too seriously. He was always kidding around with our family, friends, and neighbors. He loved being there with us all, having fun."
After Tom's passing in 2010, then VCF Board Member Joseph Pagliaro, Jr. suggested that the family consider honoring their father's memory by establishing a Fund with VCF. The Curran Family created a fund to preserve and perpetuate the legacy of charitable giving that Tom Curran, Sr. had begun. Originally, named for Tom alone, the fund was modified by the family later to include their mom Ruth's name.
"Our Dad was always giving - much more than our family ever realized. He was a helping hand to so many, and we believe that his legacy of faith, community and charitable giving will live on through the creation of this Donor Advised Fund," said daughter Kathleen. "It is also our hope to grow the Fund by family contributions as well as through other efforts. We feel VCF is a worthy and worthwhile Foundation," she said. "His legacy will now continue to help those in the Valley where Tom lived his adult life, raised his family, and called his home."
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