Brendan Joseph Curran

Brendan was born in Kilcullen, Ireland and lived with his parents Charles and Kathleen Curran, his granny Mary Jane Doyle, and 5 siblings (Charlie, Kathleen, Agnes, Lelia and John). Upon winning 250 pounds in the Sunday Independent newspaper competition at the age of 20 Brendan spent the money on his sea passage to Canada to find work. He came off the boat in the U.S. and travelled by car with a group of fellow Irishmen up to Quebec and then travelled by train across Canada until he reached Kimberley, BC where he met up and lived with friends. There he met the love of his life Effie Jahren and after they were married they moved to Kitimat, BC. After his son was born they moved to Surrey, BC where his daughter was born.

He moved his family to the Okanagan area in the early 60's living in several different areas of Kelowna before finally settling in at the Executive House apartments where he lived for 30 years. Brendan liked to keep busy and had a variety of jobs over his lifetime. He started out slinging beer in Kimberley upon arriving in Canada, was an Ironworker labourer on several Alcan Aluminum projects up in Kitimat including the construction of the hospital, he partnered with Pat Healing running a carpet cleaning business in Kelowna for many years (Interior Carpet Cleaners), he owned and ran a campground in Lake Country, and was also the building manager for Executive House for several years. Heading into semi-retirement he was a security guard at The Grand Okanagan when it first opened in Kelowna where he earned his nickname "Fossil". He enjoyed his last job, delivering bread for Royal Bakery, well into his 70's.

Brendan led an active lifestyle all through his life and up to his late 80's Brendan enjoyed annual fishing trips to Kitimat with his long time friend Al. He played golf regularly at Sunset Ranch Golf and Country Club and was a member for many years playing up until the end of the 2023 season. Later this year a memorial plaque in Brendan's honour will be posted on the golf course courtesy of his golfing buddies. For many years he volunteered his time as a Cub and Boy Scouts leader as well as security for the Kelowna Rockets Hockey games. A long time member of the Independent Order of Foresters he regularly participated in the Kelowna Regatta parades. He inherited a green thumb from his father and enjoyed working with plants especially African Violets and his Christmas cactus.

Brendan deeply missed his wife Effie when she passed away in 2014 and is now dearly missed by his son Dave Curran and his daughter Brenda and son-in-law Al Sukkau from BC, as well as his surviving sister Kathleen Kennan back in Ireland. He leaves behind 3 grandsons: Tony Sukkau, Matthew Sukkau, and Rob ( Amy ) Anderson, 3 great-grandchildren ( Kirsten, Lela, and Ronin ) and many nieces and nephews in Canada, Ireland and Australia.

A Celebration of Life will be held for Brendan Curran on July 7, 2024 in Fruitvale, BC

Friends and family are welcome to honour his memory by bringing pictures or sharing stories of their time spent with Brendan.

Please join us at 1877 Mountain Street between 3:30 and 8 pm.

Those unable to attend but wishing to add a story to the celebration, can contact the family at: Box 643, Fruitvale, BC V0G 1L0