Longtime UVM administrator was known for his warmth, sociability and love of birding and gadgets
It is with great sorrow that we announce the passing of Fred A. Curran, 80, who died peacefully at the Residence at Quarry Hill in South Burlington, Vt., on May 9, 2025. Fred was the beloved and loving husband of Ann (Bissonette) Curran, who died in December of 2022. Theirs was a joy-filled marriage of 52 years and a wellspring of peace and comfort for Fred to the end of his days. In his waning weeks, he often expressed his pleasure at the prospect of being reunited with Ann. Fred met Ann when they were both college students in Rochester, N.Y.: he at St. John Fisher College, she at Nazareth College. After Fred received his graduate degree from Boston College, he and Ann married in 1970 and found their true forever home in Burlington. Fred was hired by the University of Vermont right out of grad school and became a highly regarded administrator, serving as director of institutional research for more than 30 years, including a period as assistant provost. It was said that any statistic one could want about UVM (or the entire American educational system) could be found at Fred’s fingertips. He held leadership positions on state and regional higher education boards and commissions. Following his retirement, he served on the executive board of UVM’s Retired Faculty and Administrative Officers Organization. He was a man of many interests, ranging from an encyclopedic knowledge of the First World War to mystery novels, cooking, travel and long walks all over Burlington. His lifelong love of gadgetry meant that if there was a new piece of electronic equipment you’d just heard about, chances were that Fred already had it. He and Ann shared a love of birding and traveled the U.S., Canada, Europe and even Sri Lanka in pursuit of species both domestic and exotic. And you could be sure that Fred would be the birder with the latest, most sophisticated binoculars (not to mention the field jacket with the most pockets). He and Ann subscribed to the Opéra de Montréal and traveled there often, though it could be said that the city’s many gourmet international restaurants were an added draw for Fred. His love of good food, great wines and well-made cocktails (especially perfect Manhattans) was legendary. He was a great booster of UVM athletics, especially men’s basketball and hockey. He and Ann were courtside regulars at Catamounts games…
Longtime UVM administrator was known for his warmth, sociability and love of birding and gadgets
It is with great sorrow that we announce the passing of Fred A. Curran, 80, who died peacefully at the Residence at Quarry Hill in South Burlington, Vt., on May 9, 2025. Fred was the beloved and loving husband of Ann (Bissonette) Curran, who died in December of 2022. Theirs was a joy-filled marriage of 52 years and a wellspring of peace and comfort for Fred to the end of his days. In his waning weeks, he often expressed his pleasure at the prospect of being reunited with Ann. Fred met Ann when they were both college students in Rochester, N.Y.: he at St. John Fisher College, she at Nazareth College. After Fred received his graduate degree from Boston College, he and Ann married in 1970 and found their true forever home in Burlington. Fred was hired by the University of Vermont right out of grad school and became a highly regarded administrator, serving as director of institutional research for more than 30 years, including a period as assistant provost. It was said that any statistic one could want about UVM (or the entire American educational system) could be found at Fred’s fingertips. He held leadership positions on state and regional higher education boards and commissions. Following his retirement, he served on the executive board of UVM’s Retired Faculty and Administrative Officers Organization. He was a man of many interests, ranging from an encyclopedic knowledge of the First World War to mystery novels, cooking, travel and long walks all over Burlington. His lifelong love of gadgetry meant that if there was a new piece of electronic equipment you’d just heard about, chances were that Fred already had it. He and Ann shared a love of birding and traveled the U.S., Canada, Europe and even Sri Lanka in pursuit of species both domestic and exotic. And you could be sure that Fred would be the birder with the latest, most sophisticated binoculars (not to mention the field jacket with the most pockets). He and Ann subscribed to the Opéra de Montréal and traveled there often, though it could be said that the city’s many gourmet international restaurants were an added draw for Fred. His love of good food, great wines and well-made cocktails (especially perfect Manhattans) was legendary. He was a great booster of UVM athletics, especially men’s basketball and hockey. He and Ann were courtside regulars at Catamounts games…
