Ross Arthur Curran passed away peacefully at the Perth and Smiths Falls District Hospital on Monday, September 14, 2020 at the age of 83.
Beloved husband of the late Geraldine Curran. Loving father of Chuck (Karen), Ann, Doug (Joanne) and Pattie. Dearly missed by his grandchildren Chad, Kelsey, Mackenzie, Joe and Mattie. Predeceased by his parents William and Mary Curran, and his siblings Ken (Emma), Jack (Myrtle), Ernie (Shirley), Leonard (Isobelle), Lillian, and Pearl (Clarence). Sadly missed by his brother Neil (Eva).
Ross 'Cowboy' Curran, pictured at Garden City Raceway with Dr. John Frost in 1967.
Ross 'Cowboy' Curran
Ross’s illustrious harness racing career began at the age of sixteen in Smiths Falls, Ontario; by the age of 20 he won his first driving title at Connaught Park. He went on to win many driving titles, as well as being a leading driver at Mohawk, Greenwood, Garden City, Blue Bonnets, Richelieu Park and Rideau Carleton; competing against the likes of Hall of Famers Keith Waples, Bill Wellwood, Ron Feagan and Ronnie Waples. Ross was also known for his love of heading out to the local fairs to race a few. He was a fan favourite at Lombardy Fair and Perth Fair with many Curran family members making these annual events. A respected horseman, Ross ran a large and successful stable. His nickname 'Cowboy' was given to him by Kenny Carmichael for his ability to handle horses that were considered unmanageable.
Ross’s brief career (lasting less than 20 years) was cut short due to illness; however, his accomplishments include the third leading driver in North America in 1972, as well as the leading dash winner from 1964 to 1973 in Ontario, with an average winning percentage of .317 over a ten-year period. In his 8,686 career starts, Ross finished in the top three positions 49 per cent of the time. In 1988, Ross was inducted to the Smiths Falls Sportsman Hall of Fame and in 2009 he and received an Ontario Harness Horse Association 'Living Legend' Award.
Ross’s family involvement included his brother top-driver, Neil Curran and continued on with Ross’s son, Chuck Curran, training multiple Ontario Sires Stakes Gold event winners; daughter, Ann Curran, Cam Fella award recipient in 2008, and youngest daughter, Pattie Curran, always there to support and cheer him on. Nephew, Rick Curran, a leading driver in the Ottawa Valley and Blake Curran, currently racing at Rideau Carleton.
Friends may pay their respects at the Lannin Funeral Home on Friday, September 18, 2020 from 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. A graveside service will follow at Hillcrest Cemetery.
As expressions of sympathy donations to the Heart & Stoke or Ontario Standardbred Adoption Society (www.osas.ca) would be greatly appreciated.
Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to the Lannin Funeral Home. Online condolences available at www.lannin.ca.
Please join Standardbred Canada in offering condolences to the family and friends of Ross Curran.
A heart-felt Thank You for
A heart-felt Thank You for all the kind words spoken or written about my Dad’s passing.
Sincerely, Chuck
Our heartfelt condolences to
Our heartfelt condolences to the entire Curran Family.
Mary Jane & John Findley.
Ross, you were one of a kind
Ross, you were one of a kind and a good friend. Now you can enjoy another tune from Dusty King or Curt Baker. Also Scootch and Tijuana Taxi will have their driver back. God speed.
Al Caughey.
Ross was a superstar in the
Ross was a superstar in the making when health issues short circuited his illustrious career. He was not only a fearless, magnificently talented driver who could get more out of a horse than most, Ross was a superb trainer who could manage a stable with the best of them. He possessed a mischievous grin that could disarm anyone yet was a fierce competitor on the track. During the truncated time Ross Curran spent in horse racing he drove against the best the sport had to offer and more often than not held his own. He was that good! Sincere condolences to Chuck, Annie, Doug, Pattie and the entire Curran family.
RIP Ross and condolences to
RIP Ross and condolences to his family... A great friend for many years... Loads of fun.
R.I.P. Ross. He was a GREAT
R.I.P. Ross. He was a GREAT friend of my family. I wish all his family "the best always"
Sorry to read of Ross's
Sorry to read of Ross's passing, loved to watch him handle a horse and he had many uncontrollable ones. WHAT A HORSEMAN, rest in peace ROSS. My condolences to all the Curran family.
Please accept sincere
Please accept sincere condolences for your loss. The Cowboy's legacy will live on in racing as so will our memories of him in the bike.
Sincerely,
Howard & Lynda Portelance
To the whole Curran family so
To the whole Curran family so sorry for your loss. R.I.P. Ross.