John Francis LaCurto

John Francis LaCurto

AMENIA — John Francis LaCurto, 79, a lifelong area resident, died peacefully on Nov. 29, 2021, at Charlotte Hungerford Hospital in Torrington  following a courageous battle with lymphoma.

John was a licensed electrical contractor and the longtime owner of LaCurto Electric, Inc., based in Amenia, where he was known for his honest, professional nature and meticulous attention to detail in all aspects of residential and commercial wiring, maintenance, repairs and electrical construction and installation. LaCurto Electric also specialized in electric heat and specialty lighting.

John’s longtime business motto was “Small jobs welcomed” and John and his longtime dedicated employees were always available to handle all aspects of the electrical trade. The business continues to operate out of the Amenia office as LaCurto/Wilcox Electric as a tribute to John’s legacy and his unmatched dedication to his beloved customers.

Born Feb. 18, 1942, in Beacon, N.Y., he was the son of the late John LaCurto and Margaret L. Delaney.

He attended Webutuck High School in Amenia and served his country in the United States Air Force during the Vietnam War. He was honorably discharged following his tour of duty.

His wife, Diana LaCurto passed away on June 17, 2020, at their home in Amenia.

John was a longtime parishioner of Immaculate Conception Church in Amenia, a past member of the Amenia Fire Company and Amenia Lions Club and a 35-year member of the Dutchess County Electrical Contractors Association (DCECA) where he served for 10 years on the Board of Directors and five years as treasurer. John was honored in 2005 as the Citizen of the Year by the Millerton Lions Club and again in 2010 as the Citizen of the Year by the Amenia Lions Club.

John is survived by two daughters, Donna Flinn and her husband, Russell, of Millerton and Linda Staab and her companion, Rich, of Dover Plains, N.Y.; three stepchildren, Marion McPadden and her fiancé, Jose Gueits, James McPadden and his wife, Lauren, and Susan Krebs; his grandchildren, Alicia Bishop and her husband, Jason, Allison Flinn, Katelyn Staab, Madison and Mackenze McPadden and Kyle Krebs and Ann Marie Bailey, Christopher Bailey and Cole Staab; two great-grandchildren, Benjamin and Tyler Bishop; several nieces and nephews; and his longtime associates, James Dick and Shawn Wilcox.

Calling hours were held on Thursday, Dec. 2, at the Scott D. Conklin Funeral Home in Millerton.

A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated on Friday, Dec. 3, at Immaculate Conception Church in Amenia, the Rev. R. Kent Wilson officiating.

Burial with military honors was at Immaculate Conception Cemetery in Amenia on Saturday, Dec. 4. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society.

To send an online condolence to the family, go to www.conklinfuneralhome.com.

Latest News

Tuning up two passions under one roof

The Webb Family in the workshop. From left: Phyllis, Dale, Ben and Josh Webb, and project manager Hannah Schiffer.

Natalia Zukerman

Magic Fluke Ukulele Shop and True Wheels Bicycle Shop are not only under the same roof in a beautiful solar powered building on Route 7 in Sheffield, but they are also both run by the Webb family, telling a tale of familial passion, innovation and a steadfast commitment to sustainability.

In the late ‘90s, Dale Webb was working in engineering and product design at a corporate job. “I took up instrument manufacturing as a fun challenge,” said Dale. After an exhibit at The National Association of Music Merchants in Anaheim, California, in 1999, The Magic Fluke company was born. “We were casting finger boards and gluing these things together in our basement in New Hartford and it just took off,” Dale explained. “It was really a wild ride, it kind of had a life of its own.”

Keep ReadingShow less
Robert Cray’s soulful blues coming to Infinity Hall

Robert Cray

Photo provided

Blues legend Robert Cray will be bringing his stinging, funky guitar and soulful singing to Infinity Hall Norfolk on Friday, March 29.

A five-time Grammy winner, Cray has been inducted into the Blues Hall of Fame and earned The Americana Music Awards Lifetime Achievement for Performance. He has played with blues and rock icons including Albert Collins, Muddy Waters, John Lee Hooker, The Rolling Stones, Tina Turner, Eric Clapton and many more.

Keep ReadingShow less