Bertren R. Curry Jr.

Wasilla resident Bertren R. Curry Jr., 82, died on July 23, 2014, after a long battle with cancer. His wife of 61 years, Mary M. Curry, his son John, and his daughters, Susan Curry and Deborah Power, were at his side. His sons Michael, David and Paul were constantly in touch by telephone during his illness.

A Mass of Christian Burial was at 11 a.m., Aug. 1 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church with Father Scott Garrett as celebrant. A graveside service is at noon, Aug. 5, at Sacred Heart Catholic Cemetery, 513 W. Edlund Rd., Wasilla.

Bertren was born on Sept. 26, 1931, in Minneapolis, Minnesota. He graduated high school and attended college for two years and served in the United States Marine Corps from 1950 to 1953 in Korea where he received a Purple Heart. He became an Alaskan resident in April of 1955 and was employed with Local 1547, IBEW.

He was affiliated with the Military Order of the Purple Heart, Sacred Heart Catholic Church and the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers. His special interest was flying.

His family writes: “He was honored and loved by all of his family. He was a man who learned to slay his demons and come out a hero. We will miss his physical presence, but we are sure that he is already telling jokes in Heaven.”

He is preceded in death by his son Bertren R. Curry, III, and parents Bertren Curry, Sr., and Helen Lucille Curry.

He is survived by his wife, Mary M. Curry of Wasilla; brothers, Larry R. (Ann) Curry and Steven R. (Polly) Curry of Anchorage; sons, Michael G. Curry of Anchorage, David A. Curry, Paul M. (Natasha) Curry and John P. Curry of Wasilla; daughters, Deborah M. (Mike) Power of San Diego, California, and Susan E. Curry of Wasilla; several nieces and nephews; 10 grandchildren; and seven great grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the American Cancer Society.

Arrangements were made with Alaskan Heritage Memorial Chapel and Crematory in Wasilla.