Hugh Curran (politician)
{{Short description|American politician (1924–2006)}}
{{Infobox officeholder
| name = Hugh Curran
| image =
| image_size =
| office1 =
| governor1 =
| term_start1 =
| term_end1 =
| predecessor1 =
| successor1 =
| order2 = 45th
| office2 = Mayor of Bridgeport, Connecticut
| term_start2 = 1965
| term_end2 = 1971
| predecessor2 = Samuel Tedesco
| successor2 = Nicholas Panuzio
| birth_name =
| birth_date = {{birth date|1924|1|20}}
| birth_place = Bridgeport, Connecticut, U.S.
| death_date = {{death date and age|2006|2|10|1924|1|20}}
| death_place = Milford, Connecticut, U.S.
| party = Democratic
| alma_mater = College of the Holy Cross (BA)
Boston College (LLB)
}}
Hugh Cunningham Curran (January 20, 1924 – February 10, 2006) was an American politician, lawyer, and jurist who was Mayor of Bridgeport from 1965 to 1971. Prior to his time as mayor, he served in the US armed forces and worked as a lawyer; afterwards, he served as a judge and administrator.
Early life and career
He was born in Bridgeport, Connecticut, the son of Mary Elizabeth and Hugh Aloysius Curran. He fought in WWII, serving as a fighter pilot in the European theater.{{Cite web |title=Statement of Judge William J. Lavery regarding the Death of Judge Hugh Curran |url=https://www.jud.ct.gov/external/news/press191.htm |access-date=2024-01-18 |website=www.jud.ct.gov}} Afterwards, he received his bachelor's degree from the College of the Holy Cross, and his law degree from Boston College.
After serving as a lawyer at Curran, Kennedy, and Lyddy, Curran was elected to the Connecticut State House as a Democrat in 1955, serving a single term.{{Cite web |title=Tribute Archive Obituary – Visitation & Funeral Information |url=https://www.tributearchive.com/obituaries/20277413/E-Stanton-Kennedy |access-date=2024-01-18 |website=www.tributearchive.com |language=en}} He became the Bridgeport City Attorney in 1957, and then ran for mayor, succeeding incumbent Samuel Tedesco in 1965. Among his accomplishments was the construction of the Wonderland of Ice, an indoor ice skating rink.{{Cite news |date=2013-02-24 |title=Chris Elsberry: Dipping into the email bag |url=https://www.ctpost.com/sports/article/Chris-Elsberry-Dipping-into-the-email-bag-4301607.php |access-date=2024-01-18 |work=Connecticut Post |language=en-US}} He ran for and won two more terms, but on his fourth try lost to Republican Nicholas Panuzio, by a 9-vote margin.{{Cite news |date=1971-11-06 |title=A Recount in Bridgeport Confirms Republican Mayor |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1971/11/06/archives/a-recount-in-bridgeport-confirms-republican-mayor-special-to-the.html |access-date=2024-01-18 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}} He was a delegate to the Democratic National Convention in 1960 and 1968.
After his mayorship, he returned to the private sector. In 1974, he became a Superior court judge for the state of Connecticut, serving for twelve years.
Later life
He married Eleanor Reagan Curran in 1952; they had 5 children. He was a Roman Catholic and a member of the Hibernian Order.{{Cite web |title=Hugh Curran Obituary (2006) – Milford, CT – Connecticut Post |url=https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/ctpost/name/hugh-curran-obituary?id=26226714 |access-date=2024-01-18 |website=Legacy.com}}
References
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Category:20th-century mayors of places in Connecticut
Category:College of the Holy Cross alumni
Category:Boston College Law School alumni
{{Connecticut-politician-stub}}