Nicholas Kenneth Curran

Nicholas Kenneth Curran was born into eternal life on August 26th, 2021.  He fought with a determined spirit despite his diagnosis of Juvenile Batten Disease, a neurodegenerative disorder, since 2001, that ultimately led to his passing.

Nick was born on 12/29/1991 in Boston, MA to Glen and Francesca Curran.  He was a healthy baby and as a boy played soccer, T-Ball, enjoyed biking, swimming at Duxbury beach, camping every summer at Nickerson State Park with extended Curran family, weekly Sunday Italian dinners at Grandma Lina’s with aunts, uncles and many cousins.  When Nick was 6 years old, he had a sudden onset of blindness, a challenge he adjusted to by learning to read and write braille and how to walk with a white cane. We later learned when he was 9 years old that blindness was only the beginning of a rare disease called juvenile batten disease, a fatal neurodegenerative disorder. Not knowing if he would live past adolescence, every day and year was embraced as a gift from God. He attended Duxbury schools until 10th grade before transferring to Perkins School for the Blind where he thrived. He developed a greater love for music and learned to play the trumpet by ear as well as reading braille music. He also loved to dance and enjoyed going to many Proms and other dances in the community.  He was fearless in his attempt to live life to the fullest going on roller coaster rides, the biggest slides at Disney water parks, skiing down the slopes at Vail Colorado and swimming with dolphins in the Bahamas.

Nick was known for his infectious smile, positive attitude, and heart full of love. He never complained about his challenges, limitations or sufferings. He was full of life and love always concerned more about others. Nicholas’s dedicated family and faith in God were his anchors. His life was a spiritual journey inspiring others and bringing them closer to God.

He loved his Catholic faith and had amazing spiritual experiences during his pilgrimages to Medjugorje in Bosnia, Lourdes, France and Our Lady of Knock in Ireland.

With the commitment of family, friends, and community, we held four “A Cure in the Nick of Time” road races raising $105,000 for the Beyond Batten Disease Foundation. The Curran family would like to thank all who contributed and participated in these fundraisers. When Nick was diagnosed 20 years ago there was no treatment or cure.  Only days before Nick’s recent hospitalization a hopeful treatment was finally approved by the FDA and clinical trials have begun. His legacy will live on by helping others which was always his heart’s desire.

Nicholas is survived by his devoted parents, Glen and Francesca Curran, his loving twin sisters, Jessica O’Toole and Stephanie Curran, his brother-in-law, Timothy O’Toole, his 1 year old, niece, Ayla O’Toole, as well as, numerous, loving aunts, uncles, and cousins. Nick was preceded in death by his maternal grandparents, Tomaso and Lina Gioioso, his paternal grandparents, Kenneth and Grace Curran, and his beloved uncle Gary Curran.

Visiting hours will be held on Tuesday from 4-8 PM at the McDonald Keohane Funeral Home, 809 Main Street, South Weymouth, MA. The funeral service will be held on Wednesday at 10 AM at the Parish of Saint Mary’s at 392 Hanover Street, Hanover, MA.

In the loving memory of Nicholas, all donations can be made to the Beyond Batten Disease Foundation in Austin, TX or Perkins School for the Blind in Watertown, MA.