A friend remembers the late firefighter Eddie Curran

by Brian McDaid

Eddie followed in his father’s footsteps Bobby Curran into the Fire Brigade. But Eddie Curran was on call long before he joined the Service.

As a child he would regularly run from And O’Donnell when a fire call would come in to his home to the Old Fire Station on the High Road and had to get a chair out to reach up to put of siren to call the men out as his father was getting the details of the fire call over the phone at their home.

As new recruits Eddie and I were keen to drive the fire engine and the Late Eamonn Harvey who was one of the main drivers would take us out and teach us to drive the fire engine.

Eddie and I both passed or lorry driving test the same day in a fire engine, a Ford D Series registered AZP 999, Eddie was soon promoted as one of the main drivers on call at Letterkenny Station and also looked after all the fire engines for all the fire stations throughout Donegal, collecting them and delivering them after the were serviced and maintained in Lifford.

Eddie also had a great mechanical mind and was a great man on the pump to get much-needed water to the firefighters to fight the fire. Our picture show Eddie in happier times when he got the “call” to Dublin for the presentation of his long service Fire Brigade certificate and medal which was presented by the then Environment Minister Batt O’Keefe T.D.

Rest in Peace Eddie.

OBITUARY

The death has occurred of Eddie Curran of 1 Knocknamona Terrece, Letterkenny
Peacefully, after a short illness at Letterkenny University Hospital, under the tender loving care of his family and the hospital staff. His remains will be reposing at his Daughters Donna Marie Curran’s residence at 33 Cashel Park, Lisnennan, Letterkenny from Thursday from 3pm until removal at 12.00 on Saturday afternoon to arrive at St Eunan’s Cathedral, Letterkenny for Mass of the Resurrection at 1pm followed by internment in Conwal Cemetery.
May He Rest In Peace.

Sadly missed by his loving wife Elizabeth (nee Gallen, formally of Monellan Crossroads, Killygordon), and devoted family, Donna Marie and Edward.

Pre-deceased by his brother’s Mickey. Survived by his brother Shaun , Sisters, Ann Mitchel Teresa Curran and Patricia Gallen (Sister’s in Law’s, Brother’s in Law, deeply regretted by his Grand- Child Josh, nieces, nephews, cousins, neighbours and many many friends.

Donations in lieu of flowers if so desired to, the local ICU unit, Letterkenny University Hospital Letterkenny, c/o Martin McGowan, McGowan’s Funeral Home, Stranorlar & Ballybofey.