Vincent J. Curran

Vincent J. "Coach" Curran, 98, of 804 Fox St., Franklin, a stellar athlete who went on to become the coach of championship teams at Rocky Grove High School, died at 5:45 a.m. Wednesday, Aug. 5, in Sugar Creek Station. He was born May 18, 1911, in Emlenton, the son of Michael Henry Curran and Katherine Anthony Curran. He was married July 4, 1949, to the former Doris C. Engstrom, and she preceded him in death on July 6, 2007. He graduated in 1929 from Emlenton High School, where he held basketball scoring records for decades. Mr. Curran received his bachelor of science degree in health and physical education from the University of Illinois in 1934. He joined Quaker State Motor Oil Co. that same year and stayed with the firm until 1944. That's when he accepted a teaching position at Rocky Grove High School as the health and physical education instructor. He spent his career at Rocky Grove, retiring from there in 1974. During those 30 years, he coached basketball, baseball and track and field, thus receiving the nickname "Coach." As a highlight of his coaching career, he had three Tri-County League championships and two District 10 Class B titles. In 1949, his team played in the state championships. He also taught health and coached basketball at Venango Campus. Coach was an avid golfer and was instrumental in starting the Senior Citizens Golf League, serving as secretary for many years. He also was a supporter of Little League and umpired for 20 years. And, he bowled in the Rocky Grove Fireman's Bowling League, serving as secretary/treasurer. He was a member and officer of the Rocky Grove Volunteer Fire Department and volunteered at Thursday bingo games well into his 90s. He was a member and secretary of the Franklin Kiwanis Club, and the Valley Grove and the Venango County Vocational-Technical School boards. He also was a member of Grace Lutheran Church, serving on the church council. Among his hobbies were crossword puzzles and a monthly poker club. He is survived by three children, Harry M. Curran and his wife, Kay, of Franklin, Patrick J. Curran and his wife, Lisa, of Franklin and Christine L. Curran of Fairview Park, Ohio; four grandchildren, Michael V. "Skip" Curran of Franklin, Andrew B. Curran and his wife, Meggan, of Pittsburgh, Timothy M. Skarupski of Franklin and Conner P. Curran of Franklin; a brother, Francis G. Curran and his wife, Nancy, of New Middleton, Ohio; and many nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents and his wife, Doris, he was preceded in death by three brothers, Gerard M. Curran, Edward R. Curran and Willis Curran; and three sisters, Mary Hess, Eleanor Bradley and Catherine Yurko. Friends will be received from 3 to 7 p.m. Friday at Gardinier Funeral Home, Inc., of 1315 Chestnut St., Franklin. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday in Grace Lutheran Church of Franklin. The Rev. Harold Jacobson, assistant to the synod bishop, will officiate. Interment will be in Bethel Cemetery. The family suggests memorials may be made to the Rocky Grove High Booster Club, c/o Floyd O'Neil, 188 Phillips Drive, Franklin, 16323, or to the Rocky Grove VFD, 29 Shuffstall St., Franklin, 16323. Online condolences may be sent to www.gardinierfuneralhome.com.