Charles Peter (C. P. Moe) Curcio, of 428 Cheyenne Rd, Bristol, Virginia died on January 21, 2012 in Wellmont Hospice House in Bristol after a gradual decline in health. He was born February 20, 1923 in Lyndhurst, New Jersey to Giuseppe and Carmela Curcio. He is preceded in death by his parents, his wife Wilma Wright Curcio, and six siblings, Peter Frank Curcio, Lillian Curcio Alterman, Marie Curcio Cavalla, Lillums Curcio Calderaro, Martha Washington Curcio, and Edythe Wilson Curcio.
Moe, as he is affectionately known, was a graduate of Lyndhurst High School in Lyndhurst, New Jersey and Bordentown Military Institute, also in New Jersey. He is a veteran of World War II having served in the 71st Infantry Division attached to Patton’s Third Army during the European campaign. After the war he came to Southwest Virginia to attend Emory and Henry College where he played football and earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree in 1950. He subsequently received a Master of Arts in Education from East Tennessee State University and a Master of Arts in Political Science also from ETSU.
Once Moe came to Southwest Virginia, he never left. After brief coaching stints in Meadowview, Glade Spring, Fries, and Pulaski, he ultimately settled in Bristol. He served as head football coach of Virginia High School and in 1953 was one of the first seven coaches of the original Southwest District. He was Athletic Director at Virginia High School for many years and directed national coaching clinics that annually brought the country’s premier college coaches to Bristol. Moe has been recognized for his distinguished contributions in athletics by the Southwest Virginia Regional Coaches Association and the Virginia State High School Athletic Directors Association. He was also a charter inductee in the Southwest Virginia Touchdown Club Football Hall of Fame.
In addition to athletics Moe had a passion for government and teaching. He taught Political Science at VHS, East Tennessee State University and finally at Virginia Highlands Community College where he ended a long career in education as Director of Student Activities. His interest in civics kept him active in the community, serving on the People Incorporated Board of Directors, the Bristol Virginia Housing Authority, the Bristol Virginia School Board, the Bristol Charter Committee and the Virginia Highlands Community College Board.
Moe was a member of St. Anne Catholic Church. He was proud of his Italian American Ancestry, and his adopted home of Bristol. He loved politics, Italian food, Notre Dame football and lunch out with the guys. Most of all Moe loved young people, especially those who he taught, coached and worked beside during his forty-five years in education.
He is survived by two sons, Joseph Charles Curcio and wife Linda of Bedford, Virginia and son Peter Curcio and wife Diane of Bristol. He is also survived by four grandchildren, who he adored, Charles Nicholas Curcio and wife Erin of Atlanta, Georgia, Joseph James Curcio, Abby Michelle Curcio and Katie Nicole Curcio all of Bristol. Additionally he has five nieces Dianne Bridges and husband Cliff of Allentown, Pennsylvania, Carmela Somma and husband Al of Clifton, New Jersey, Charlene Richards of North Arlington, New Jersey, Joyce Donovan and husband Rick of Upper Montclair, New Jersey and Lucy Curcio of Clifton, New Jersey, as well as nine great nieces and nephews. Finally he is survived by special friend Dorothy Countiss of Bristol.
The family wishes to thank those who have provided comfort and support to Moe during a sometimes difficult final year, especially Dr. Fred Greear and his office staff, Craig Jones and the many kind people of CVS Pharmacy on Valley Drive in Bristol, Ken Jiles, Kevin Littreall, Brandon Hale, Pat Booher, Wendy Johns, and the many other dedicated therapists, nurses, and assistants at Health South-Bristol, NHC-Bristol, and Bristol Regional Medical Center. Finally the family thanks Dr. Laura Cunnington and the nurses, volunteers and support staff of the Wellmont Hospice House in Bristol for their compassion and care in Moe’s final days.
Funeral services for Mr. Curcio will be held at 12:00 p.m. Tuesday, January 24, 2012 at St. Anne Catholic Church by Rev. Timothy E. Keeney with burial to follow in Mountain View Cemetery. Visitation with the family will be Monday evening from 5-7 p.m. at Akard Funeral Home or also on Tuesday from 10:30-11:45 a.m. at St. Anne Catholic Church. Pallbearers will be Alan Jennings, Tammy Farnsworth, Ed Hardison, John Roberts, Sam McVey, Ed Stout, Kurt Pomrenke, and Robert Countiss. Honorary Pallbearers are Bill Bingham, Jim Geiger, Dave Collins, Mike Rush, Tom Parker, Mike Hogdson, Floyd Grizzle, Paul Hurley, Clayton Thompson, Joe Watson, Walt Skeens, Don Ashley, Eddie Icenhour, Fred Gallagher, Walt Bressler, Kevin Corbett, Jim Rector, and the countless former players, students and colleagues who Moe loved and had the privilege to coach, teach, and work with over his long career. Flowers will be accepted, or in lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Virginia High School, 1200 Long Crescent Drive, Bristol, Virginia 24201 for a college scholarship fund in Moe’s memory to recognize a deserving, well-rounded student athlete. Email condolences may be sent to the family at akardfh@akardfuneralhome.com Akard Funeral Home, 1912 W. State St., Bristol, TN (423)989-4800 is serving the family of Mr. Curcio.