James P. Curran
James Patrick Curran of Philadelphia, PA, died Sunday, December 10, 2023, at his home.
James was born in Chestnut Hill, PA, to Irish immigrants, Annie McLaughlin of Gortinarin, County Donegal, and Hugh Curran of Glencolmcille, County Donegal.
A 1957 graduate of North Catholic High School for Boys, James was stationed in Germany during service in the U.S. ARMY. James is remembered for always taking care of others before himself. Despite limited means, James devoted his life to rescuing, spaying/neutering, and feeding community cats in his neighborhood. Undeterred by the weather, transportation or health issues, he made daily visits to help the cats at Pennypack Park.
James enjoyed socializing and entertaining with family and friends, attending concerts at Valley Forge Music Fair, decorating for Christmas, and making whisky sours for holidays.
James is survived by nieces, Kelly Tillotson, Nancy Tillotson, and Patti Tillotson a nephew, Kenneth Tillotson, Jr., his brother-in-law, Kenneth Tillotson, Sr., and many cousins here and County Donegal Ireland. He is predeceased by his parents and sister, Mary Tillotson.
Please consider donating in his memory to your local animal shelter. Graveside service will take place Friday 12/29, 10am at Holy Sepulcher Cemetery Cheltenham, PA.
We, the Northeast Catholic Alumni Association, were saddened to hear of the passing of James. We will remember him in our prayers and newsletter so everyone can join in a prayer.
That was a noble cause with the stray animals and we salute James for that and his Army service.
Rest In Peace James!
My heart is so heavy & sad to learn of Jim’s passing. I met Jim about 10 yrs ago, while I was walking @ Pennypack Park w/my daughter, I had never realized that there were such WONDERFUL people, as Jim, that did such unselfish, heartwarming things like caring & feeding cats that were dumped at a park. Jim taught me everything there was to know, I felt that God had him training me so that when it was his time to take care of himself, others would take over. I will never forget seeing him shoveling a path at each colony for the cats to walk, so that they paws would not freeze up, he taught me what a rough life these cats have, he respected them, loved them & card for all them so..I now feed at these same colonies, but a lot less than when Jim fed. He is truly one of the kindest men I have ever had the pleasure of meeting & being friends with. We would text, but not as much as I should have text him. Thank you Jim for all those you fed daily, you are missed. You finally get to just sit & visit with all those cats that you took such good care of.
Jim was a classmates 1957 NORTHEAST CATHOLIC. I remember him not only from school but we both used the Rt 23 & Rt 56 PTC trolleys to go to from school. Rest in Peace Jim and God Bless. Larry Keefe NC 57
what Denise said is beautiful, it continues to confirm that the best 4 years of my vested life will live on forever in Falcon Pride!..thanks Mr. Curran