Curia, Joseph A., 86, of Moundsville, WV, died Thursday, January 6, 2011 in Acuity Specialty Hospital, Bellaire, OH. He was born January 28, 1924 in Meadowbrook, WV, a son of the late John and Catherine Curia. He was a retired sanitarian, working for the Marshall County Health Department and founder of the Operation Pride Clean-up Fix-up Program in Marshall County. He was a member of St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church, Moundsville, and a U.S. Army veteran. Joe was a dedicated family man and community member. He was a loving husband, father and grandfather, a natural joke and storyteller, a bargain shopper, and a smooth dancer. Joe's life revolved around his family and his community. He was a past-president of parent-teacher associations for four different schools, and a past county PTA council president; a member of the Lions Club, the WV Public Health Association, Association of Sanitarians, Tri-State Environmental Health Association, Marshall County Mountaineers for Rural Progress, and the Solid Waste Authority. He had been involved for several years as a volunteer for the cancer and heart societies, the March of Dimes and Easter Seals. He received the Outstanding West Virginian award from Governor Gaston Caperton in 1992, and the Marshall County Chamber of Commerce Dr. David L. Ealy Community Service Award in 2009. Joe was a selfless, generous father, whose greatest accomplishment was seeing each of his seven children achieve a college education. When interviewed several years ago by a local newspaper, Joe stated, "Education is most important in the Curia family." And, although many sacrifices have been made on the part of the Curia parents, Joe said he would rather have things the way they are than a summer cottage and boat…"in my old age, other luxuries wouldn't mean anything to me." But his children sure do. He was a blessing to his family, and the example of love that he showed will live on. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his son, Frank, his grandson, John D., and his siblings. Surviving are his beloved wife of 63 years, Ellen Bombardiere Curia; his children, Joe and Barbara Curia of Clarksburg, WV, John and Debbie Combs Curia of Chester, VA, Sam and Linda Curia of Westerville, OH, daughter-in-law, Kathy Buckenheimer Curia of St. Albans, WV, Christopher Curia of San Antonio, TX, Kathy Davidson of Glen Dale, WV, and Mary Curia of Moundsville; 15 grandchildren; and two special nieces.
-- funeral home obituary