Joseph Ryland Curl II

Joseph Ryland Curl ll, a long-time Ipswich resident, passed away peacefully at Beverly Hospital on June 14, 2023.

Joe was born in Camden, NJ on October 22, 1963 and in his younger years he and his family lived in Ohio and New York. He graduated from Colgate University with a degree in International Economics and highlighted by a globe-traversing Semester at Sea. After graduation, he moved to Boston and began work as one of the first employees of Elderhostel/ Road Scholar, a not-for-profit organization focusing on educational travel for older adults. Joe loved the company's mission-driven approach and spent more than 25 years there tackling roles of increased impact. In 1996, Joe and Phil Golden, his partner of 32 years and husband of 19, moved to Ipswich from Boston. The one-time city slickers immediately took to the town's natural beauty, rich culture and, most importantly, exceptional people including many, many outstanding friends and neighbors. Joe loved calling Ipswich home.

People immediately warmed to Joe's kindness, gentle nature and outstanding sense of humor.  He was a great friend and source of strength to many; a terrific and caring son, brother, and uncle; and a husband extraordinaire. In 2007, Joe was diagnosed with nasal pharyngeal cancer and successfully underwent treatment. Five years later, the impact of those treatments led to extended and increasing health challenges. Throughout that time, he faced those challenges with a bravery, calmness and strength that amazed all that knew him. As he did so often in life, Joe quietly and bravely defined the situation —not allowing the situation to define him.

Joe was predeceased by his father Joseph and mother Beth. He is survived by Phil as well as his siblings, Steve and his wife Karen of Palo Alto, Tom of Nashville and his sons Tom and Ethan of Nashville and Mary Gorte her husband John of Naples FL, and their children Lauren, Eric and Mark. Additionally, he is survived by Phil's family including his mother-in-law Jean Golden of Squantum and brothers Richard and his wife Candace of Squantum and Martin and his wife Jo-Anne of Hanover. Father-in-law Leo and brother-in-law Bob of Plymouth predeceased Joe, as well.

Private ceremonies celebrating Joe's life will be held in his much-loved beach communities of Ipswich, Niantic CT and Key West. Joe was a huge proponent of The Open Door/Ipswich Food Pantry (www.foodpantry.org > ipswich-pantry) and any remembrances or donations may bedirected there to help our neighbors in need.

No story of Joe's life would be complete without giving special thanks to the health care and other support teams that cared for him. Spiritual guide Reverend Rebecca Brown, Dr. Frank McDermott and his team, and Ipswich Fire and Rescue — throughout Joe's extended health challenges — provided an amazing level of urgency, expertise and compassion.

Assisting the family is the Morris Funeral Home of Ipswich.  To send a letter of condolence please go to:  MorrisFH.com .

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Joseph Ryland Curl II, please visit our floral store.