At the age of 90, Ocean Bay Park legend Dennis Curry passed away on Wednesday, November 20. He and his brother, Peter Curry, co-founded the Schooner Inn, creating a lifetime of memories for Fire Island residents and tourists alike, who enjoyed the great food, blender cocktails, live music, and all-around good hospitality this establishment had to offer.
Born in the English seaside town of Whitley Bay, Dennis served post-war with the elite British Airborne Division and was stationed in Egypt during the Suez Canal crisis. He immigrated to the United States in 1958. His love of the seaside made him settle in Babylon Village, where he and his brother Peter established the Red Lion Inn in 1969. The bother entrenches then turned their attention to Fire Island and opened the Schooner Inn in 1973. Dennis would meet his wife Ann on Fire Island, where the two first engaged in a landlord/tenant dispute, then fell in love and remained married for the next 46 years. Dennis remained active in the operation of Schooner’s right through the summer of 2024.
In addition to his brother Peter, and beloved wife Ann, Dennis is survived by his daughter Megan Curry Mohring, son Jason Curry, and grandchildren Andrew, Avery, and Ella.
His Memorial Service will be held at Fredrick J. Chapey & Sons Funeral Home, 1225 Montauk Highway, West Islip, on Sunday, November 24, from 2 to 4 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. Funeral services will follow on Monday, November 25, from 12-1 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, the family has requested contributions in Dennis’s memory to either the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust or Oceana. Both charitable causes are close to his heart due to his love of nature and concern for the plight of the planet’s most majestic animals.
