Jack Ritchie McCurdy, of Elmhurst, passed away peacefully at the age of 87 surrounded by his loving family and wife of 66 years, Joanne McCurdy, née Kutsus. Jack was a devoted father to Michael and Michelle; proud grandfather of Jake, Rose, Haley and the late Brendan; and dear brother of Mary Jane McKearney and the late Walter McCurdy.
Jack graduated in 1955 from Bradley University as a member of the Sigma Nu Fraternity before his career as a leader at Dictaphone Pitney Bowes Corporation in Chicago. As a member of the US Army’s 8th Infantry, Jack served his country honorably during a tour of duty in Germany. A man of strong faith, Jack was a longtime member of Christ Church in Oak Brook. The only thing bigger than Jack’s size 16 feet was his heart, especially in the presence of animals.
Jack’s life was filled with traveling and adventures, and he spent his retirement with family in Door County, Wisc., or exploring the world on his own and with friends. Jack could be found walking across England coast to coast with Country Walkers, living with Eskimos in Alaska, swimming in the Great Barrier Reef in Australia, completing Astronaut Training Camp, visiting a U.S. outpost in Antarctica, repeatedly climbing the Swiss Alps, or traveling to places like Russia, France, Italy, Scandinavia, the U.S. deserts and the Rocky Mountains. Jack would want us to honor his memory by enjoying every day as he did and remembering to “control the controllables.”
Visitation will be Thursday, April 29, from 9 a.m. until the 11 a.m. funeral service at Gibbons Funeral Home, 134 South York Road in Elmhurst. Following the visitation and prayer service, Jack’s family will gather privately. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to The Elmhurst Walk-In Ministry, 125 West Church Street, Elmhurst, IL 60126. For funeral information please call 630-832-0018 or www.gibbonsfuneralhome.com.
