Judge McCurn
Rites Monday

Services for Judge Francis D. McCurn, 81, of 648 Roberts Ave., who died Thursday at Community-General Hospital, will be at 9:30 am. Monday at J. P. Burns and Son Funeral Home, 623 W. Onondaga St., and at 10 a.m. in Most Holy Rosary Church, where a high Mass of requiem will be offered. Burial will be In St. Mary's Cemetery.

Friends may call 7 to 9 p.m. today and 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. tomorrow at the funeral
home. Contributions may be made to Most Holy Rosary Church or to favorite charities.

Honorary bearers will be members of the New York State Bar Association.

Former presiding Judge of the Appellate Division, 4th Department, of the State Supreme Court, Judge McCurn was senior justice of the State Appellate Division before becoming presiding judge in 1953.

He was the father of Neil P. McCurn, president of the City Council.

A native of Westernville, Oneida County, Judge McCurn was a resident of Syracuse 60 years. He was graduated from Syracuse University Law School in 1914.

Mr. McCurn, active in Democratic party politics, served on State Democratic Committee and was the party's candidate for mayor in 1931 and 1935.

In 1934 he was appointed by Gov. Herbert H. Lehman to the State Supreme Court and was reappointed in 1937. In 1938 he was elected to a full term on the Supreme Court with endorsement of both major political parties.

He then was appointed to the Appellate Divison in Rochester January 8, 1940, and in 1953 was appointed presiding justice of the Appellate Division by Gov. Thomas E. Dewey.

Judge McCurn served as presiding justice until retiring Dec. 31, 1959, at the age of 70. On retirement, he practiced law with his son's firm, Mackenzie, Smith, Lewis, Michell and Hughes, where he was active until becoming ill about two years ago.

Active in Syracuse University affairs, he served as president of the Board of Visitors of the Law School, president of the Board of Visitors of the State College of Forestry at Syracuse University and president of St. Thomas More Foundation. He was a trustee of the university at the time of his death.

Judge McCurn received an honorary doctor of laws degree from the university in 1945 and the Law College's distinguished service award in 1954.

A communicant of Most Holy Rosary Church, he served as president of its Holy Name Society. He also was a member of its ushers group and was a trustee of the church.

Judge McCurn was a 4th degree member of the Knights of Columbus, a member of the Order of Call, Phi Delta Phi Fraternity, and was the recipient of the annual "Tip-Off Award" of Tipperary Hill Post American Legion in 1958.

Surviving besides his son are his wife, Mrs. Grace Peters McCurn; another son, John F. McCurn, a daughter, Miss N. Irene McCurn; 14 grandchildren, and a great-grandchild.
-Syracuse Post-Standard, Syracuse, N.Y., September 18, 1971, p. 8

Judge McCurn
Rites Monday

Services for Judge Francis D. McCurn, 81, of 648 Roberts Ave., who died Thursday at Community-General Hospital, will be at 9:30 am. Monday at J. P. Burns and Son Funeral Home, 623 W. Onondaga St., and at 10 a.m. in Most Holy Rosary Church, where a high Mass of requiem will be offered. Burial will be In St. Mary's Cemetery.

Friends may call 7 to 9 p.m. today and 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. tomorrow at the funeral
home. Contributions may be made to Most Holy Rosary Church or to favorite charities.

Honorary bearers will be members of the New York State Bar Association.

Former presiding Judge of the Appellate Division, 4th Department, of the State Supreme Court, Judge McCurn was senior justice of the State Appellate Division before becoming presiding judge in 1953.

He was the father of Neil P. McCurn, president of the City Council.

A native of Westernville, Oneida County, Judge McCurn was a resident of Syracuse 60 years. He was graduated from Syracuse University Law School in 1914.

Mr. McCurn, active in Democratic party politics, served on State Democratic Committee and was the party's candidate for mayor in 1931 and 1935.

In 1934 he was appointed by Gov. Herbert H. Lehman to the State Supreme Court and was reappointed in 1937. In 1938 he was elected to a full term on the Supreme Court with endorsement of both major political parties.

He then was appointed to the Appellate Divison in Rochester January 8, 1940, and in 1953 was appointed presiding justice of the Appellate Division by Gov. Thomas E. Dewey.

Judge McCurn served as presiding justice until retiring Dec. 31, 1959, at the age of 70. On retirement, he practiced law with his son's firm, Mackenzie, Smith, Lewis, Michell and Hughes, where he was active until becoming ill about two years ago.

Active in Syracuse University affairs, he served as president of the Board of Visitors of the Law School, president of the Board of Visitors of the State College of Forestry at Syracuse University and president of St. Thomas More Foundation. He was a trustee of the university at the time of his death.

Judge McCurn received an honorary doctor of laws degree from the university in 1945 and the Law College's distinguished service award in 1954.

A communicant of Most Holy Rosary Church, he served as president of its Holy Name Society. He also was a member of its ushers group and was a trustee of the church.

Judge McCurn was a 4th degree member of the Knights of Columbus, a member of the Order of Call, Phi Delta Phi Fraternity, and was the recipient of the annual "Tip-Off Award" of Tipperary Hill Post American Legion in 1958.

Surviving besides his son are his wife, Mrs. Grace Peters McCurn; another son, John F. McCurn, a daughter, Miss N. Irene McCurn; 14 grandchildren, and a great-grandchild.
-Syracuse Post-Standard, Syracuse, N.Y., September 18, 1971, p. 8