Final farewell: Derry City stalwart and 'celebrity' Willie Curran laid to rest

The defender, who signed for the Brandywell club as a 14 year-old boy, passed away on Sunday at his Beechwood Avenue home, aged 90.

Derry City manager, Declan Devine, Technical Director Paddy McCourt and several representatives from the club were in attendance in the chapel grounds to pay their respects to Mr Curran who has been associated with the Candy Stripes for more than seven decades.

In his homily at St Eugene's Cathedral, Rev. Paul Farren described Mr Curran as 'quick witted', 'hard working' and a 'great character' who was 'proud' of his football achievements.

Mr Curran, who captained his hometown club, had received Derry City's lifetime volunteer award in 2018 and the following year he became the first player to be inducted into the club's Hall of Fame.

Fr Farren added Mr Curran had achieved 'celebrity status' in Derry and beyond with his 'giftedness as a footballer' and praised the former centre-half for maintaining his strong faith despite suffering with dementia in his later years.

He said: "Willie was just a wonderful parishioner. He was so committed to this parish. He was so reliable. He was constant. He was very territorial too and didn’t like any help or interference in his patch!

"Willie was a hard worker all his life providing for his family. When his father died he took on the responsibility for caring for his mother and siblings, working three jobs.

"Even after he married Elizene he continued to do it and of course then he provided for his own family too.

"Willie was a character – a big character and a great character," he continued. "In ways he was a celebrity in Derry and beyond with his giftedness as a footballer.

"Even in retirement and right to the end his celebrity status never changed. His achievements in football have been celebrated during his life, which is wonderful.

"In 2018 he received an award for lifetime voluntary service to Derry City Football Club and then in 2019 he became the first man inducted to the Derry City Hall of Fame. He was very proud of all of this.

"His family were very proud of him. Then there was the bowls and the Foyle Cup and all the different things that Willie was involved in."

Fr Farren also paid tribute to his family and all those who cared for Mr Curran in recent times.

"Willie was blessed with his family. You were so dedicated to him and you cared for him so tenderly.

"I know that the rest of the family are so grateful to Maura for being Willie’s primary carer – Nurse McKeever! – and also Paul and Aodhan and Karen.

"Aodhan had such a wonderful relationship with his grandfather – being with him so much – coming here to Mass with him so regularly and then of course going to Scotland with him every year to celebrate with his great friend Jimmy Delaney.

"The Derry based part of the family are also so thankful to Elizabeth and Mairead who came home so regularly and that was a great help too.

"Today we give thanks to God for Willie who had a great sense of humour and had a quick wit – who was contrary when he wanted to be and was always determined – who was talented and also generous in his service of his Church, his community and his club.

"We pray that in death that Willie has met Jesus who has welcomed him home to heaven where he will be reunited with Elizene, Charlie and Declan and all those who have gone to heaven before us.

"We continue to pray for Willie’s family and friends that you will be inspired by Willie’s faith and so in this time of sadness you will find peace and hope in your faith in Jesus who is our Saviour.

"We pray for Willie. He adored Jesus faithfully in this life. Right to the end despite the dementia he never stopped praying and wanting to go to Mass.

"He hated this pandemic for stopping him from getting to Mass because he felt he was letting God down.

"Today we pray that Willie is now at the eternal banquet of heaven, where like the three wise men he has recognised his Saviour.

"There in paradise where there are no restrictions on him now we pray that he is seeing God face to face for ever and ever.

"Amen."

Following the passing of his late wife Elizene and sons Charlie and Declan, Willie is survived by sons John and Liam and daughters Eleanor, Orlaith, Elizabeth, Mairead and Maura, grandchildren and great grandchildren.