René de Boisferon McCurdy

On Sunday, January 1, 2017, René de Boisferon McCurdy, at the age of 96, left this world for the next. He is survived by his wife of 67 years, Jessie Tomlin McCurdy; five daughters, Yolande M. Gottfried wife of Robert of Sewanee, TN, Anne Marie Inglis wife of George of Brighton, MA, Suzanne R. Szczepanski wife of Chester of Elizabethtown, Brigitte M. Mankiewicz wife of Thomas of Middletown, and Sarah M. Weinschenk wife of Thomas of San Luis Obispo, CA; three sons, Paul J. McCurdy husband of Sharon of Ridgeway, Guy M. McCurdy of Hummelstown, and John T. McCurdy husband of Beverly of Harrisburg; a brother, Patrick P. McCurdy of Warminster; three nephews and a niece, his brother’s four children; 21 grandchildren; and 34 great grandchildren.
René was born on February 3, 1920, in Pittsburgh; son of the late Joseph A. McCurdy and Yolande de Boisferon McCurdy, who imparted in him a love of all things French. He was a 1936 graduate of Peabody High School and a 1940 graduate of Duquesne University, both of Pittsburgh. René was also an US Army veteran having served during World War II. He married his wife, Jessie, on September 3, 1949 in Sacred Heart Church, Pittsburgh, a church very dear to his memory. René was also a longtime active member of St. Joan of Arc Roman Catholic Church, Hershey, where he was a lector and Eucharistic minister. René was currently attending Seven Sorrows of the Blessed Virgin Mary Roman Catholic Church, Middletown. He was a member of the St. Vincent de Paul Society, Lancaster Oblate Chapter of St. Meinrad Archabbey, and was active in the Cursillo movement. As a longtime resident of Hummelstown, René served on Borough Council and the Planning Commission; he was also a volunteer driver for the Elder Express.
René was a civil engineer for Gannett Fleming, from which he later retired, and had previously worked for the Army Corps of Engineers. To René, family and faith always came first; he was a hard working man who enjoyed spending time with his family, spiritual reading, and traveling, especially to historic locations.
Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Thursday, January 5, 2017, at 11:00 AM in Seven Sorrows of the Blessed Virgin Mary Roman Catholic Church, 280 North Race Street, Middletown, with The Rev. Fr. Edward J. Keating, as celebrant. Interment will be in the Hummelstown Cemetery. Viewings will be held on Wednesday, January 4, 2017 from 6 to 8 PM in the Trefz & Bowser Funeral Home, Inc., 114 West Main Street, Hummelstown, and again on Thursday in the church’s narthex from 10:00 AM until time of the service. Prayers will be recited Wednesday in the funeral home at 6 PM.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Seven Sorrows of the Blessed Virgin Mary Roman Catholic Church, 280 North Race Street, Middletown, PA 17057.
Online condolences may be shared at www.trefzandbowser.com.