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| Jack Curtin affectionately known as "Monk", was born John Joseph Curtin on 9 July, 1924 in Auburn, New York State, USA. He passed away on 29th August, 2002 in Auburn, and is buried in St. Joseph's Cemetery, Fleming. He is survived by his children, John and Mary and grandchildren. Also a brother and 2 sisters. His wife Emily, nee Bojcun passed away in 1995. Jack was the son of Patrick Curtin and Hazel, nee Little who lived in Auburn. Patrick had emigrated from Rockchapel, County Cork, Ireland. |
| Jack graduated from Holy Family High School in Auburn in 1942. He was a retired employee of the U.S. Postal Service having served more than 30 years with the Auburn Post Office. He was a World War 2 Army Veteran and held memberships in various clubs and associations including NYS Amateur Softball Association Hall of Fame and Auburn Softball Hall of Fame. |
| At 6 foot 2 inches and 240 lbs, "Monk" was an over-powering figure whilst hurling underhanded from the pitching mound. He began playing softball in High School. During a softball game in the 1950's, he ended a game with 21 consecutive strikeouts. |
| Jack "Monk" Curtin was inducted into the NY State Softball Hall of Fame in 1989. On August 24, 2002, Monk was honoured at the same park where he had played so many games. A bronze plaque bearing his name was unveiled. He pitched more than 20 perfect games during his career and helped win 7 state championships from 1940 to 1974. As a poor child, Jack practiced and practiced. He pitched softballs against the side of his garage. He had no coach and learned how to throw a curve, a drop, rise and as time went by he got better and stronger with his game. His arm was very strong! He was a gentleman and respectful of all he played against. |
| In his day, "Monk" was known for great stamina on the softball diamond, pitching 7 days a week and sometimes he played 2 games in a day. He suffered various health ailments and a broken back, but his endurance continued. He recorded 75 no-hit games. |
| John Joseph Curtin was the son of an Irish emigrant, Patrick Curtin. Patrick came from the townland of Knockfurtig, Parish of Meelin, Rockchapel, Co Cork, Ireland. He was baptised on 20 November 1886 and died in Auburn NYS on 13 June 1971. Patrick's parents were John Bartholomew Curtin (1860-1927) and Hannah Emperor who married in Meelin Parish in 1885. John Bart Curtin was in turn the son of Bartholomew Curtin and Mary Lenihan and both were alive on the 1901 census for Cummery Connel South, (Knockfurtig) Rockchapel. Mary was from the Mt Collins, Co Limerick area and married Bartholomew Curtin about 1850. Bartholomew was one of the sons of John David Curtin (b. 1790 approx) and his wife Miss OConnor. John David Curtin was a son of David & Johanna Curtin. Papers from 1796 show that this David Curtin was living in the townland of Knockogno, Brosna Parish, Co Kerry, and that his wife Johanna died between 1816 and 1820. Sons of this couple settled in the farming area around what is now Rockchapel Village in Co Cork. |