Obituary of Lewis R. McCurdy

Lewis R. McCurdy May 22, 1941 – January 19, 2022 Lewis Rainsford McCurdy, 80, died 19th of January 2022 at his home in Lynbrook, New York. Lew was born, May 22, 1941, to Lewis R. and Marion McCurdy in Lynbrook, NY. He had two sisters Mary Alice and Audrey. He attended Lynbrook schools, played in the neighborhood streets, fell in love with the girl next store and created friendships that would last his lifetime. His love of sports began at a young age as shooting guard and first basemen. He received varsity letters in basketball and baseball at Lynbrook High School and went on to play basketball at Lafayette College in Pennsylvania. He coached all 4 of his children in recreational baseball and basketball leagues and coached and mentored countless neighborhood kids in the sports he so loved all in the hopes that a child could dream big, and Lynbrook would have winning seasons. And they did. He had a reserved seat on the 3rd base line at all the LHS baseball games and you could often find him in the bleachers, paper in hand, at a LHS basketball game. Lewis graduated from Lynbrook High School class of ’59. He continued his academic studies and athletic career at Lafayette College and graduated with a degree in History from Hofstra University. From there Lew went to work, trying out several different jobs; garbage man, gym teacher, a stint on wall street and finally returned to the family business of Robert Wilson Paper Corp. where he sold paper for 40 years out of his barn. He married that girl next door, Diana Alleman on December 28, 1970, and together they built a family and home in Lynbrook, NY. 649 was his home base. Lynbrook was his town. He never ventured far. If he wasn’t in the house watching a game, he was in the barn working, or on the porch with a paper. If he wasn’t home, he was at the Malvern Deli, enjoying long drives in the car, walks on the boardwalk, sitting on the beach, and dreaming of great travel or his next best meal. He loved to go anywhere, new, hidden, or off the grid, as long as it was close to Long Island and he could find his way back home. Lew was passionate about paper and working hard. He knew what it took to be a good friend. He was kind and respectful, and always saw the goodness in everyone. He cherished his friends and was the first to lend a helping hand. Every day he worked smart, fought hard, stayed strong and left an impression with everyone he met. His bond with his friends took him on summer baseball trips, traveling the United States to enjoy minor league baseball games. He spent time with the Lynbrook SEPTA advocating for kids with difficulties learning and making sure their experience at Lynbrook was equal to others. But it was his time with his family that he loved the most. He created a life for them where he was always available, ever present, and never missed a thing. School drop offs, homework, countless sport practices, plays, games, road trips, vacations, graduations, jobs, relationships, weddings, and grandchildren. There was no greater love in his life than his family for which he did everything. He is preceded in death by his wife Diana McCurdy and son James McCurdy. He is survived by Michael McCurdy (Melissa Hudspeth), Lori Jenkinson (Anthony Jenkinson), Rob McCurdy (Abbey Ruggiero), and his 7 grandchildren Annie, Joe and Max McCurdy, Miller and William Jenkinson, and Ford and Charlotte McCurdy. A Lynbrook High School Memorial Scholarship Fund has been set up in honor of Lewis R. McCurdy. In lieu of flowers the family asks you to consider a donation. Checks can be made out to Lewis McCurdy Scholarship Fund and mailed to Robert McCurdy, 649 Scranton Ave. Lynbrook NY 11563. Thank you.