John Gribbel McCurdy, 97, died on Thursday, April 6, 2023 at The Hill at Whitemarsh in Lafayette Hill, PA.
John was born in Chestnut Hill, PA on September 21, 1925, the son of the late James Aubrey McCurdy and Idella Louise Gribbel McCurdy. He is survived by his seven children – John G. McCurdy, Jr. and his wife Shelley; Nancy McCurdy Bauer; Susan L. Cassell and her husband Richard; Edward G. McCurdy and his wife Valerie; Nancy M. Handzo and her husband James; James A. McCurdy and his wife Carole; and Scott S. McCurdy and his wife Lisa – 12 grandchildren, and 10 great grandchildren. John was predeceased by his wife of 43 years, Marion, and brothers James and Richard. John attended the Penn Charter School in Philadelphia and graduated from The Hotchkiss School in Lakeville, CT. He attended Swarthmore College under the V12 Navy College Training Program during World War II, where he was a member of the football and wrestling teams. His midshipman training was at Cornell University where he graduated with the rank of lieutenant, junior grade. John captained a submarine chaser
and served as an officer on a patrol craft during World War II in the Atlantic. After the war, John attended Yale University under the GI Bill, graduating in 1949 with a degree in mechanical engineering. He worked in manufacturing engineering and research and development for various companies, including Smith, Kline & French, Honeywell, Exide, Precision Tube, Superior Tube, and Accumetrics. John contributed to several patents and, after a fulfilling career, decided to retire in 2016 – at the age of 91! John was an avid and gifted nature and portrait photographer. He enjoyed the outdoors, especially sailing on Chesapeake Bay and camping in the Maine woods. John passed on his enthusiasm for cars and timepieces to many of his children and grandchildren. He loved music, and the soundtrack of his life included jazz, classical, and opera. John liked nothing better at the end of a busy day than enjoying a martini - with olives! – in the company of his beloved family and many pets.
A celebration of life will be held for John on May 4, 2023 in the Heritage Chapel of Kirk & Nice Funeral Home, 80 Stenton Avenue, Plymouth Meeting, PA. Visitation begins at 10AM with a memorial service at 11AM. Burial will follow immediately in George Washington Memorial Park. If desired, in lieu of flowers, please make a contribution to the charity of your choice in John's memory. John, always the gentleman, was a role model and inspiration for perseverance through challenges, for generosity, for kindness, for humor, and for love of family. He will be greatly missed.