News Release
Contact: Public Relations Coordinator
(800) 342-9835, ext. 8130Former NY Credit Union CEO Passes
(July 23 - Albany, NY) – New York’s credit union family is mourning the loss of Empower FCU’s former Co-president/CEO, J. Raymond Curtin, who passed away unexpectedly on Monday.
Curtin was born in Syracuse in 1948; he graduated from Christian Brothers Academy, attended Wadhams Hall Seminary and then Cornell University. After graduating with BS, MBA and CPA degrees, Curtin embarked on a 30 year career in the financial services industry. He held positions at OnBank, Merchants Bank, Agway and Price Waterhouse before joining the credit union industry as president/CEO of Empire FCU. He also taught at SUNY Oswego where he was Professor of Finance.
For many years, Curtin served as a chapter president and council member of the Credit Union Association of New York. He chaired the Association’s education committee and received its Educator of the Year Award in 2003. He assisted in the successful merger that created Empower FCU, a $640 million plus credit union, and served as the new credit union’s co-president and CEO until his retirement in December 2007.
Curtin was a communicant of Immaculate Conception Church in Fayetteville, where his family resided, a board member of United Way and a member of the American Red Cross. He was an avid golfer, biker and participant in many professional, community and church activities.
“It was with great sadness that I learned of the untimely death of Ray Curtin,” said William J. Mellin, president/CEO of the Credit Union Association of New York. “He was a progressive leader in the credit union movement. He was passionate in his recognition, support and dedication to the importance of financial education for all individuals and was always the first to open his credit union’s doors for training sessions. On behalf of the Association, I express our sincere condolences to Ray’s family.”
"Ray was loved and respected greatly by his colleagues, peers and staff,” added Tracy Conner, VP of member relations for the Association. “He embraced the credit union philosophy of education, resource sharing, and cooperativeness and will be missed by his credit union brethren in Central New York and beyond.”
Curtin is survived by his wife of 34 years, Pat, a daughter, two sons, five siblings and many dear friends.
Donations in Curtin’s memory may be sent to United Way of Central New York, P.O. Box 2129, Syracuse, NY 13220.
The Credit Union Association of New York has served as the trade association for the state’s credit unions for 91 years. It is the fifth largest league in the country. New York credit unions have assets of more than $40 billion and 4.2 million members. To learn more about the Association, visit www.nyscul.org.
Ray Curtain
1948-2008
Credit Union Association of New York
P.O. Box 15118, Albany, New York 12212-5118 | 1021 Watervliet-Shaker Road, Albany, NY 12205
800-342-9835 | Fax 518-437-8284
