Patrick Curley

Dennis Patrick “Pat” Curley, 84, died peacefully on March 23, 2026, after living with Alzheimer’s disease for 15 years. Born in Buffalo, NY on May 3, 1941, the son of Lucy and Edward Curley, Pat was a graduate of Canisius High School and Boston College, and he earned an M.S. degree from Canisius College.

Pat was an entrepreneur deeply committed to his community. He started his own consulting company, St. Lawrence Business Consultants, in 1977, where he remained at the helm for nearly 40 years. He specialized in training seminars, economic development projects, mergers and acquisitions, succession planning, corporate valuations, and ESOPs. In addition to business, Pat served his community through the Orchard Park town board, the New York State Power Authority, the American Heart Association, and the Foundation for Community Betterment. The Orchard Park Chamber of Commerce voted him Man of the Year, and he received multiple awards for his service to the American Heart Association. A hockey enthusiast, Pat served as vice chair for the Southtowns YMCA board of managers, where he designed, financed, and built their indoor ice rink. He also founded the Southtowns Hockey Officials Association and served as a referee for 35 years. One of his proudest accomplishments was serving as a volunteer firefighter with the Orchard Park Fire Company, where he was a life member, attending more than 5,000 fires in his lifetime.

Beyond his professional and volunteer impact, Pat will be remembered for bringing the “fun” to everyone around him. From his bright ski outfits to his love of music and singing, there was never a dull moment with Pat. He loved to sail and was the proud owner of the “Lone Shark” – painted like the Irish flag – which he always called the prettiest boat in the fleet at the Buffalo Canoe Club in Canada, where he was a member all his life. He was an avid skier and a longtime member of the Buffalo Ski Club. He enjoyed competing as a “leftie” in handball at the Buffalo

Athletic Club and later at the Knights of Columbus. He loved the musical Les Misérables and saw it more than 30 times; his favorite line was, “To love another person is to see the face of God.” He loved to march in parades – especially the St. Patrick’s Day parade in New York, Washington, D.C., and Buffalo – and anyone who knew Pat has probably sung “God Bless America” alongside him. He always wanted to “shoot the bull” with family and friends – and anyone who stopped to talk with him – and that warmth continued until his final days.

Pat is predeceased by his beloved wife of 51 years, Carolyn Garlock Curley, and his sister, Lucy Haley. He is survived by his daughter Jennifer Curley Reichert and son-in-law Paul; his son Brendan Curley and daughter-in-law Alexis; and his daughter Shannon Curley Tower and son-in-law Nate. He is also survived by eight grandchildren: Caroline Wells Reichert, Catherine Prenatt Reichert, Lindsay Roberts Curley, Katelyn Garlock Curley, Madelyn Grace Curley, Dylan Patrick Curley, Findlay Royal Tower, and Rylea Patricia Tower. He is further survived by his brother Michael Curley; his brother-in-law Royal Charles Garlock II and sister-in-law Ann Garlock; four nieces and a nephew; and many great-nieces and great-nephews.

There will be an Irish Wake in Pat’s memory at O’Loughlin’s Restaurant at 1258 Bay Dale Drive in Arnold, MD, on Friday, March 27, from 2:00 – 4:00 p.m. His funeral Mass will take place on Friday, April 24 at St. Joseph’s Cathedral at 50 Franklin Street in Buffalo, NY, at 9:30 am with a reception immediately after.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations in Pat’s memory to the Foundation for Community Betterment (www.communitybetterment.org).