The Ypsilanti Courier
A Heritage Newspaper
Weekly Publication
Former columnist for Courier dies at 58
The well known Curry wrote for several papers and a magazine
By Kathleen Conat, Special Writer
PUBLISHED: March 27, 2008
Former Ypsilanti Courier columnist Paul Allen "Al" Curry, 58, died in his sleep March 18 at his home in Ypsilanti.
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Born Sept. 3, 1949 in Hurricane, W. Va. to Paul Jennings and Malarie (Salmons) Curry, Al was an incomparable wordsmith, using his skills in writing, editing and storytelling, as well as songwriting and singing.
He was a published poet and columnist, his poetry most recently published in The Comstock Review. His column "The Old Curmudgeon" was read in The Courier and Hurricane Breeze newspapers.
He also was the main writer, editor and publisher of "Gnomenclature," a privately published magazine that reflected his eclectic style and views of life, all written with his piercing and pointed wit.
In addition, Curry wrote both lyrics and music for songs he performed at various venues around the country, most recently at the Tap Room's open mic nights here in Ypsilanti. A CD of his songs, "Push Comes to Shove" performed by "Al Curry and the Crapshoot Jam Band" was released in 1998.
His inveterate curiosity led him to travel and live in places as different as Los Angeles, Calif., Mexico and Ireland. He was proud of his Irish heritage and has requested his ashes be spread off the coast of Ireland.
For many years, he lived in Cincinnati, Ohio. He moved to Michigan in 2002, where he married she wife, Shelley.
Al is survived by his wife, the former Michele Doran of Ypsilanti, his parents, Paul Jennings and Malarie Curry of Hurricane, W. Va.; sister, Deb Curry of El Paso, Texas; son, Sean (Katie) Curry of Houston Texas, daughter, Amy (Chris) Garrison of Indianapolis, Ind.; stepchildren, Margaret (Russell) Bakewell of Plymouth; Katherine (Geoff) Cost and Charles Tombeau, both of Ann Arbor; grandchildren Sarah and Andrew Shaw, and Rachel, Benjamin and Samantha Bakewell.
A celebration of Al Curry's life was held last Thursday and cremation has taken place. The guestbook may be signed at www.niefuneralhomes.com/
Kathleen Conat is a longtime Ypsilanti resident and freelance writer for The Courier. She can be reached through editor@ypsilanticourier.com.
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