Matthew Robert Curry, 83, passed away Friday, June 9, 2017 surrounded by family and friends. He was born June 12, 1933 at home in New Bedford, MA and moved to Belfast, Maine in 1971 to continue his family business, Art's Canvas & Upholstery. Matt was one of the founding members of the Waldo County Credit Union, now the Downeast Credit Union.
Matt will forever be known as an avid outdoorsman who spent quality time with family and friends in the Maine woods hunting and fishing. He shared his passion for hunting with all by writing down his adventures in various magazines as well as publishing three books. He had many other hobbies including painting, carving, and storytelling. Matt enjoyed putting up his 48' cabin tent in the Northern Maine Woods welcoming family, friends, and anyone who stepped through the tent flaps. Matt was always there to lend a hand and open his doors to anyone in need and always had a place for anyone at the dinner table. He made lifelong friends from near and far, who became a part of his family.
Matt was predeceased by his wife Jackie of 56 years along with his two brothers and one sister. He is survived by his five children and their spouses; Brian and Ro-Ann Curry, Susan Curry and Neil Mackay, Stephen and Judy Curry, Arthur and Candy Curry, and Alan Curry. Matt was loved by 15 grandchildren; Briana Brennick and husband Keith, Brooklyn Curry and fiancé Ricky DerBoghosian, Jesse and Melissa Curry, Jarrod Curry, Mellissa Kenney and husband Jamie, Scott Mackay, Chelsey Gomez, Ross Curry, Ian Soper, Brandon Curry, Chase Curry, Trinity Paquin, Truly Curry, Logan Kelley, and Tyler Curry. Also working many years with his daughter-in-law Cheryl Curry. Matt also leaves 9 great-grandchildren; Karagan and Kaydence Kenney, Colton Mackay, Natalie and Avianna Curry, Rosalind and Lily Mellor, and Desirae and Alex Gomez. There are too many special nieces, nephews, and numerous friends to list. All are left with lifelong memories of Matt.
You can honor Matt's great life by taking a stroll in the Maine woods, wetting a line in the ponds, and getting out to enjoy nature's beauty. Family and friends are planning a Celebration of Life to be announced at a later date.
Arrangements are under the care of Riposta Funeral Home, 182 Waldo Ave., Belfast. Memories and condolences may be shared at ripostafh.com.
I first met Matt Curry in the deep Maine woods in October of 2002.
The late Jim Hanson and myself traveled, on a very wet day in October, to Matt's tent camp near Kokadjo, Maine.
I had heard and read many stories of Matt's 48 foot wall tent camp. Matt was a great writer, writing down the many interesting stories surrounding his Maine tent camp, shed hunting and etc.
After that first meeting Matt and I became "pen pals" exchanging many letters over the years. I never made it back to Kokadjo, Maine and I'm sorry I never did.
Jim and I had elected to forgo hare hunting because of rain this particular day and travel to find Matt Curry's tent camp. Little did I know how far of a drive it would be. We drove north looking for Kokadjo, Maine. Three hours later, north through Jackman through heavy rain,, past Moosehead Lake through heavy rain, we found Kokadjo on First Roach Pond. The scene was like traveling back in time. Ancient, prior century clap board buildings serving as cabins I suspect, were adjacent to an empty lake, First Roach Pond.
There was a general store in Kokadjo and this is where we elected to ask the whereabouts of Matt Curry's tent camp. There was a lady behind the counter and the conversation went something like this.
"Do you know Matt Curry?" I ask.
"I sure as hell do," the now, not so much a lady, answered.
"Can you tell us how to get to his camp?" I hesitantly ask.
"No I can't," my heart sinking, "my husband knows, but he ain't here", she replied. "Maybe I can get him on the radio."
The woman said something into a microphone with no response. She again said something, and a man's voice answered. Out of the radio speaker I heard, "Go garble garble then turn right garble static go another garble and turn right again. Matt's tent camp is garble static static. You can't miss it. Out."
"Did you get that?" The lady store-keeper ask.
"Sure did," I answered.
With a, "Thank you for the help," up the road we went. To my surprise we found Matt's camp without much trouble. We even got a good look at a moose along the way.
A couple of years ago, about 2015, Matt's tent caught fire and burned to the ground. Many thousands of dollars worth of hunting and camping equipment were lost as he had several hunters hunting out of his tent camp. At 80 years old, Matt sewed together a new tent.
Over the years many hundreds of Matt's family and friends hunted out of Matt's tent camp. They all will miss him. We all will miss Matt. His magazine writing, his story telling will be missed, however, Matt is already a legend in the deep Maine woods.
Matt will live forever in the hearts of all who knew and loved him.
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This picture represents our first impression of Matt's 48 foot wall cabin tent. The tent was pitched in a stone quarry quarry in the Maine woods.
Matt telling us like it was.
Matt met us at the tent door and welcomed us with open arms.
Matt watching over his tent.
Matt in the tent's kitchen.
Another look inside Matt's tent.
Matt had recently sewn an annex for more sleeping room for his many guests.
Outdoor part of the kitchen.
"Partridge" or as we knew them, grouse "aging" on a pole.
Matt told us they had to hang a while to be good.
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