Former Montco Commissioner, State Rep. Larry Curry Passes Away

NORRISTOWN, PA — Larry Curry, a former county commissioner and longtime state legislator who helped create Montgomery County Community College, passed away Monday. He was 82 years old.

Curry, a Democrat, was commissioner from 1972 to 1980, and also served on the Jenkintown Borough Council from 1986 to 1994 and as state representative in the 154th District from 1992 to 2012.

"Larry was both a friend and mentor to me as an elected official," Val Arkoosh, Chair, Montgomery County Commissioners, said in a statement. "He once told me that through his many years of public service as an elected official, his
favorite was the time he spent as a Montgomery County Commissioner. He was an example of a leader who cared deeply about his community and who fought tirelessly for those unable to fight for themselves."

Curry was born Feb. 21, 1936, and graduated from Jenkintown High School in 1952, per his state legislature biography. He then received a bachelor's and master's degree from the University of Pennsylvania.

He went on to teach American Civilization courses at numerous universities, including Rutgers-Camden, Philadelphia Community College, Acadia, and University of the Arts.

As county commissioner, he was the lone Democrat for its time, a position which earned him respect from current commissioner Joe Gale. "Larry fully recognized the nature of the position and I thank him for his service to Montgomery County."

He was first elected to the state legislature in 1992, and went on to serve nine terms before retiring in 2012. In 2004 he served as a delegate for the Democratic National Convention, his biography states.

Flags will be flown at half-mast across Montgomery County on Dec. 31 to honor Curry. They are already being flown at half-staff through Dec. 30 in honor of President George H.W. Bush.

Funeral services for Curry have not yet been announced.

Image via Pennsylvania State House of Representatives