Baltimore is mourning former City Councilman Robert “Bobby” Curran, who died Friday at his home.
Curran represented the 3rd District for decades on the Baltimore City Council, and leaders are remembering him for deeply caring about Baltimore and taking the time to listen to his constituents, finding out about their concerns and what they believed could help move the city forward.
Curran was one of Baltimore’s own. He was part of a prominent political family and served on the City Council from 1995 to 2016. He also performed the duties of council vice president.
Former Maryland Attorney General J. Joseph Curran Jr. told WBAL-TV 11 News about how his brother handled community meetings and constituent problems.
“He didn’t just say, ‘Come to see me at City Hall.’ He went to the neighborhood. That was Bobby. Real nice. Really a great way to do it,” Joseph Curran Jr. told WBAL-TV 11 News. “He enjoyed being a real representative.”
Former Baltimore Mayor Bernard C. “Jack” Young told WBAL-TV 11 News about his days as a councilman working with Bobby Curran.
“Bobby never, never told you he was going to support you on any issue or any bills until after lunch. And then, he would come and say, ‘Well, I think I can be with you.’ But if you got his word, you didn’t have to worry about him going back on his word,” Young told WBAL-TV 11 News.
One of Bobby Curran’s biggest pieces of legislation was a bill that banned smoking in restaurants, bars, taxis and other public places. He spoke with WBAL-TV 11 News after the City Council approved it in 2007.
“It prevents you from affecting others with chronic ailments that secondhand smoke causes. Now that we’ve done it, the state folks will have courage to do it. Critical mass is there to move forward statewide,” Bobby Curran said in 2007.
“(It was) a piece of legislation that he really, really put his whole heart into because he used to be a smoker, and then, he stopped smoking because he heard about the effects that smoke has on your lungs,” Young told WBAL-TV 11 News.
The city measure ultimately led to a statewide ban.
Joseph Curran Jr. told WBAL-TV 11 News more about his brother’s personality and his sense of humor, including a funny story from when he was about 6 or 7 years old.
“He had a parakeet, and he liked to let the bird out. It would fly around the living room, and it would land on his head, and he would walk around with a parakeet on his head,” Joseph Curran Jr. told WBAL-TV 11 News.
Bobby Curran was a fan of the Orioles and Ravens. His most towering trait, according to his brother and Young, was his dedication to Baltimore.
“He cared about the city big time,” Young told WBAL-TV 11 News. “He lived up in the original Northwood, and whenever there was a problem and people called Bobby, Bobby got it done.”
Bobby Curran was 76 years old.
Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Friday at the Ruck Funeral Home in Towson.
READ MORE:‘He got it done’: Baltimore mourns beloved longtime councilman
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