[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 45 (Thursday, March 31, 2011)]
[Senate]
[Pages S2037-S2038]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         REMEMBERING RICK CURRY

  Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, I rise today to pay tribute to the life 
and accomplishments of one of the Commonwealth's most outstanding 
citizens, Mr. Rick Curry, who passed away on November 17, 2010, at the 
age of 65. Rick made significant contributions to his hometown of 
Corbin, KY, as an active citizen, an entrepreneur and the coowner of 
one of Corbin's most popular nightspots and downtown attractions, The 
Depot on Main restaurant. I am honored to have called him my friend.
  Originally from London, KY, Rick graduated from London High School 
and attended the University of Kentucky before enlisting in the U.S. 
Air Force. After being stationed in Japan and completing his military 
service, he attended Cumberland College and later became the president 
of Curry Oil Company in London, and Petro Haulers Inc., a fuel hauling 
business. Not only was Rick a successful businessman, he was also 
involved in property development and owned key commercial properties.
  Aside from his successful business endeavors, Rick had always dreamed 
of owning a restaurant. In 2004, he began to make that dream a reality 
when he purchased and renovated an old department store building in 
downtown Corbin. This once blighted and vacant building soon turned 
into a beautiful and thriving restaurant; The Depot on Main. It was 
Rick's pride and joy.
  This renovation was not only significant to Rick personally, but also 
to the Corbin community. It came at a time when economic vitality was 
suffering and few people dared to make investments. But Rick did. His 
investment encouraged business development in downtown Corbin.
  Many people who had the privilege of knowing Rick remember the 
remarkable recovery he made after suffering a stroke in 2007. He 
handled that crisis, as he did everything else, with such a positive 
attitude and indomitable spirit. Those qualities, as well as the bonds 
he forged with so many in the community through his work, through the 
restaurant and in his life will be what Rick Curry is remembered for.
  My thoughts go out to his wife Holly, the citizens of Corbin, and 
many other beloved friends and family members for their loss. Rick was 
an upstanding gentleman and an irreplaceable citizen of the 
Commonwealth. He will be greatly missed.
  Mr. President, the Corbin News Journal recently published an article 
honoring Rick and the legacy he left behind. I ask unanimous consent 
that the full article be printed in the Record.
  There being no objection, the material was ordered to be printed in 
the Record, as follows:

                   Depot on Main Owner Dies at Age 65

                          (By Trent Knuckles)

       To those who knew him best, local businessman Rick Curry 
     was the kind of guy who lived life to the fullest--destined 
     to enjoy every moment he was given.
       Curry, owner of The Depot on Main restaurant in Corbin, 
     died in the early morning hours last Wednesday at the 
     University of Kentucky Medical Center in Lexington after 
     suffering a brain aneurysm. He was 65-years-old.
       ``I can't say enough about Rick and what a good person he 
     was,'' said Bruce Carpenter, Director of Economic Development 
     for Corbin and part owner, along with his wife Teresa, of The 
     Depot on Main with Rick and his wife Holly. ``He was a good-
     hearted person. He always wanted to have a good time and have 
     fun. I feel so fortunate to have known him the last six 
     years.''
       Curry was president of Curry Oil Company, in London, and 
     Petro Haulers Inc., a fuel hauling business. He also was 
     involved in property development and owned key potential 
     commercial properties in London and Corbin.
       Carpenter said he first met Rick and Holly in 2004, shortly 
     after voters in the city of Corbin approved a measure that 
     allowed that sale of alcoholic beverages at qualifying 
     restaurants in the city limits.
       Curry always had the dream of owning a nice restaurant and 
     saw opportunity in Corbin.
       He was one of the first entrepreneurs to take advantage of 
     the new law.
       Curry purchased the old Daniel's Department Store building 
     and began renovations on what would eventually become The 
     Depot on Main.
       At the time, Carpenter was beginning a push to create a 
     Main Street Program in Corbin dedicated to revitalizing the 
     city's central business district.
       ``When I found out what he was doing, I got very excited 
     about it. He was taking an older building and totally 
     renovating it and making it something beautiful. I thought it 
     was a great opportunity to jumpstart downtown,'' Carpenter 
     said. ``It was a tremendous amount of work. He made a big 
     investment in our community. That is what always excited me 
     about Rick was his investment and belief in our downtown.''
       Corbin Mayor Willard McBurney said news of Curry's death 
     was sad and that the city had lost a valuable advocate and 
     ally.
       ``He sure took a void on Main Street and turned it into one 
     of the nicest restaurants in this area,'' McBurney said. ``It 
     was a blighted building and he made it something to be proud 
     of. He invested a lot of money into our Main Street. He will 
     be missed.''
       Curry told the News Journal that construction of The Depot 
     on Main cost about $800,000. Carpenter said his family and 
     the Curry's became close over the years. In 2007, Curry 
     suffered a serious stroke, but made a remarkable recovery.
       ``He always had such a positive attitude and a good support 
     system around him. Once he was on the road to recover, I 
     think he just fed off that. He will be greatly missed,'' 
     Carpenter said.
       According to his obituary, Curry was a London native who 
     attended grade school at Saint William Catholic Church. He 
     graduated from London High School and was a member of the 
     school's football team.
       While a student at the University of Kentucky be joined the 
     U.S. Air Force and was stationed in Japan. After leaving 
     military service had attended Cumberland College.
       Funeral arrangements for Curry were handled by House-
     Rawlings Funeral Home.
       A celebration of Curry's life was held Saturday at St. 
     William Catholic Church in London.

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