Paul Curry

Paul W. Curry, a resident of the Town of Tonawanda, NY, passed away peacefully on Sunday, October 4, 2026, at the age of 71. He was born in Buffalo, New York, on December 13, 1954.

A 1973 graduate of Royalton-Hartland High School, Paul was proud to have served in the United States Army. He went on to build a career as an electrician with IBEW Local 237 in Niagara Falls, NY. A certified private pilot in both fixed-wing and rotary aircraft, he conducted aerial observation flights for utility companies inspecting power lines. He also put his flying skills to use helping people reach medical care.
Of all the things that mattered to Paul, aviation was perhaps the most deeply ingrained in who he was. From a young age, he dreamed of a future spent flying. Aviation captivated him throughout his life—a world he never tired of exploring and one to which he felt he truly belonged. His love of aviation extended well beyond the cockpit, from piloting radio-controlled model aircraft to sharing his enthusiasm with his family through trips to air shows. The flight jacket he so often wore was unmistakably Paul, an outward expression of the aviator he had always been. Flying wasn't simply something he did. It was part of how he understood himself.

Paul had an independent and unusually inquisitive mind, and he could become deeply absorbed in whatever captured his interest. He was particularly proud of his membership in Mensa, something that held special meaning for him. He was also an avid chess player, drawn to the challenge of a game that revealed more complexity the deeper one looked.
Paul drew on a seemingly endless store of knowledge, finding questions worth exploring in ordinary moments that others might have overlooked. For his daughter, Adriane, some of the clearest glimpses into how his mind worked came through the unexpected connections he made. A question that arose during a car ride could turn into a playful experiment in physics, seeing just how far the car might coast; on another occasion, they might build and launch a model rocket. That same curiosity helped shape her own interest in science and technology. Photography was another interest they shared, which Paul pursued as an amateur photographer. He also had a great love of music, particularly the classic rock of Lynyrd Skynyrd and The Who.

He is survived by his beloved daughter, Adriane (Thomas) Ayling of Watertown, MA; his brother, John (Susan) Curry of Appleton; his nephew, Shawn Curry; and his niece, Lauren (Anthony) Wedekind. He is also remembered by his former spouses, Darlene Hurtgam and Karen Dean. He was preceded in death by his parents, John and Elaine (Wanamaker) Curry, and his brother, Kenneth Curry.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations be made to Wings Flights of Hope, an organization that provides free air transportation to individuals in need of medical care. Donations may be made at www.wingsflight.org or mailed to Wings Flights of Hope, P.O. Box 872, Orchard Park, NY 14127.
Paul's arrangements have been entrusted to the Sherrie Bream Funeral Home of Gasport.

For those who wish to celebrate Paul's life and share their memories, please visit www.mitchellfamilyfuneralhomes.com.