A long-respected Western New York jurist has died. Judge John T. Curtin passed away Friday at the age of 95.Curtin was a federal judge who was first appointed to the bench by President Lyndon Johnson in 1967, after serving six years as US Attorney for the Western District.
He is best known for his 1976 decision that led to desegregation of Buffalo schools and rulings that did the same for the city's police and fire departments. He was also noted for decisions on environmental issues such as Love Canal during his tenure.
Curtin suffered a stroke and heart attack in 2004, but remained on the bench, only retiring one year ago.
Rep. Brian Higgins issued the following statement on Curtin's death Friday afternoon:
“Today we mourn the passing of United States District Judge John T. Curtin, a distinguished jurist with an incredible 48 years on the bench. A Marine Corps veteran, Judge Curtin provided a lifetime of service to his country, overseeing some of this region's most transformative cases, ranging from Love Canal to desegregation cases involving Buffalo Schools and the ranks of the city's police and fire departments.
“While I was proud to work closely with the Judge on the construction and naming of the Robert H. Jackson United States Federal Courthouse, I was prouder still that following my initial election to Congress, Judge Curtin befriended a neophyte congressman, initiating personal correspondence on issues of the day that continued until shortly before his passing, staying in touch and sharing ideas about Buffalo's waterfront and the City he held so dear.
“This nation and community has lost a respected and dedicated public servant, and we join the many Western New Yorkers who today keep the Curtin family in their thoughts and prayers.”
