Andrew Currie
S/Sgt. Andrew J Currie was assigned to the 459th BG 758th Squadron.
Military Occupational Specialty (MOS): Ordnance/Public relations Specialist.
I am sorry to report the passing of my father, Andrew Currie, on December 5, 2015, in Lake Elsinore, CA, at the age of 92.
This is his obituary.
Andrew Joseph Currie, 92, of Lake Elsinore, CA, passed away
Saturday, December 5, 2015, at his home with family by his side
after complications from a fall.
Andrew was born January 10, 1923, in Brooklyn, NY. He was the
son of Andrew Joseph Currie and Mary Casey Currie. Andrew
graduated from St. Martin of Tours elementary and middle schools,
Bishop Laughlin High School (Brooklyn), and St. Johns University
(New York City).
Andrew served his country with distinction during World War II. He
entered service in December, 1942, and remained on active duty
through and after the war until October, 1945. He served as part of
the Fifteenth Air Force (304th Bomb Wing, 459th Bomb Group,
758th Bombardment Squadron), stationed in Cerignola near Foggia,
Italy. Andrew rose to Staff Sargent and served both in armaments
for the squadron’s B-24 heavy bombers, and as the squadron’s
news reporter. The 758th played important roles in the critical
Ploesti, Vienna and Munich air campaigns, and in support of Allied
invasions of Italy, southern France and Normandy. For its efforts,
the 304th Wing was honored with a Presidential Unit Citation and several
other awards. Andrew’s news reports for the squadron live on
today as part of the 459th’s official history maintained in Air Force
archives at Maxwell AFB, Montgomery, AL.
After leaving service, Andrew married his high school sweetheart,
Jeanette Romano Currie, also of Brooklyn, NY. They were married
June 21, 1947, at St. Martin of Tours Church, and remained happily
married for 68 years. Andrew and Jeanette raised five children:
Patricia Lynn Honeycutt, who resides with husband Charles in
Sacramento; Robert Andrew Currie, who resides with wife Elizabeth
in Atlanta; Thomas Michael Currie, who resides with wife Catherine
in San Diego; David John Currie who resides with wife Geraldine in
Royersford, PA; and Donn Currie of Audubon, PA.
Andrew’s professional career began in NYC with a paper broker,
and continued for 39 years with the Fine Paper Division of
Weyerhaeuser Company. Starting as a production scheduler, he
assumed positions of increasing responsibility at company offices
in Michigan, Massachusetts, and Pennsylvania. He retired in 1989
as a systems manager for the Fine Paper IT group. His
accomplishments were many, and some of his programs remain in
use today. After retirement to Lake Elsinore, CA, Andrew and
Jeanette traveled widely from Alaska to Antarctica and made friends
everywhere they went.
Andrews was preceded in death by his mother, Mary, by his sister,
Veronica Currie Vanderwerken and by his son, Donn Currie. His is
survived by his wife, Jeanette, by his four children, and by five
grandchildren: Vanessa Currie (San Diego), Andrew Currie (San
Francisco), Emily Claire Currie (Atlanta), Oren and Natalie Currie
(Royersford, PA).
Andrew was a devout, lifelong Catholic who served his church in
many capacities, including fundraising, teaching, and as Eucharistic
Minister and Lector. He lived a full and meaningful life, and will be
missed by many.
