Maurice E. Curran

After a successful career as a telecommunications sales executive, Maurice Eugene Curran retired to the South Fork, where he had summered as a child, and took up beekeeping. 

He was “passionate about doing his part” to help “the planet heal,” wrote his girlfriend, Bridget Brosseau, and he understood the importance of honeybees in that equation. 

“His love for beekeeping expanded, and he placed hives on many friends’ properties,” sharing his knowledge with all these “intern beekeepers,” Ms. Brosseau said. He had considered selling the honey and had hoped to take a teaching hive with plexiglass windows to schools, as well. 

“He was also a connoisseur of teas from around the world and loved to match his different honey harvests with different teas,” Ms. Brosseau said.

Mr. Curran died in his sleep on Dec. 21 in Westchester County. The cause has not been determined. He was 60. 

Known as Moe, he had been an entrepreneur from his early years. Among his many endeavors was working as a seafood broker between New York City and the East End, but at Cortel Business Systems, a telecommunications company in New York City, he had a career. He created a new division at Cortel for which he recruited recent college graduates, teaching them how to succeed in the New York City business world. What began with just four employees grew to include some two dozen. 

Mr. Curran married Virginia Best on April 21, 1995. The couple brought up their four children in Sleepy Hollow, N.Y., where Mr. Curran served on the Pocantico Hills School Board from 2007 to 2010. Robert Balog, the president of the school board during Mr. Curran’s tenure, described him as “clear and forceful in his commitment to make the school better.” Another former board president, John Conrad, described him as “sincere, intelligent, principled, straightforward, and, most of all, courageous.”

Mr. Curran had a quick wit, “a great sense of humor, and an infectious smile,” Ms. Brosseau wrote. He was “well read and was known for his kind nature, always looking for a chance to help others when an opportunity was presented.” 

He loved waterskiing, snowboarding, riding his bicycle, and cruising on his many Harley-Davidson motorcycles, among other outdoor activities. He enjoyed cooking healthy meals, with fish and East End bay scallops among his favorite ingredients. 

Mr. Curran was born in New York City on Jan. 8, 1957, to Maurice and Barbara Curran. He grew up in Inwood in Nassau County and spent summers in Wainscott as a boy. His fond memories of the area drew him back after his divorce. He and Ms. Brosseau lived in Springs. 

In addition to Ms. Brosseau, he is survived by his children, Maurice Clark Curran and Kayla Curran of New York City and Tyler Curran and Patrick Curran of Westchester County, and by his mother, who lives in Florida. He leaves two sisters, Kim Curran of Westchester County and Kate Curran of Florida, a brother, Matthew Curran of Florida, and a grandson. 

A funeral was held at Emanuel Lutheran Church in Pleasantville, N.Y., on Dec. 30. His ashes will be buried at Wainscott Cemetery alongside those of his father and two sisters who died before him, Bess and Jamie. 

A memorial celebration will be held in the summer at the beach in Wainscott.