Thomas Joseph Curran

Thomas Joseph Curran, 71, of Lincoln, died August 10, 2022, surrounded by his family at home. He was born in Lincoln on March 23, 1951, to Maurice and Lorine (Ketterer) Curran, in Lincoln. The fourth of five siblings, Tom has always enjoyed spending time with family. He often spoke fondly of having hot dogs with his grandma when she’d have them for lunch. Like his grandsons would later be, Tom was a Cub Scout. He had a paper route in his neighborhood and worked in a grocery store at 33rd and A.

He attended St. Teresa School, Pius X High School, and UNL. Tom was part of a tight-knit group of friends throughout his early years, and these friends were very dear to him. Later, he earned an MBA from Roosevelt University. His faith was deeply important to him and would inform his pathways throughout his life.

Tom met Carol Pavlish in August 1972, and they married on a bitterly cold December 29, 1973. Legend has it that there was some stinky cheese hidden in their car that day.

Tom and Carol had two kids, Sara and Ben. He loved to attend their band concerts and theater productions. He so enjoyed being a grandparent to Owen, Liam, Chip, and Emily, and he relished every opportunity he had to spend time with them.

Tom’s working life was split into three careers, and his work took the Curran family to many places across the eastern United States. Tom and Carol gave in to wanderlust and were fortunate to travel. Tom was immensely proud of his Irish heritage, even working to obtain Irish citizenship, and he and Carol traveled there on several occasions.

Tom was well-read, a history nut, and a Husker fan. He believed strongly in service, giving his time as a counselor at SHIP, a docent at the Nebraska State History Museum, and as a member of the Knights of Columbus. Further, Tom served as a member of the Nebraska Army National Guard.

Tom is survived by his wife, Carol; his children, Sara (Randy) Ice and Ben (Sally) Curran; grandchildren, Owen and Liam Curran and Chip and Emily Ice; his siblings Cay (Mike) Naughton, John (Marilyn), Mike (Linda), and Dan (Mary); a multitude of nieces and nephews; and many good friends. He is preceded in death by his nephew Matthew Curran.

His funeral will be held August 16 at 10am at St. Michael’s Catholic Church, Lincoln. Burial will immediately follow at Lincoln Memorial Park and Cemetery. A visitation will take place August 15 from 4-8pm, with a rosary said at 6pm, at Lincoln Memorial Funeral Home. Please consider memorials to the American Cancer Society Hope Lodge-Omaha.