Michael Paul Curry died in Hampton, Virginia on October 21, 2025, at the age of 73 after a brief illness. Michael was born in England and began his career as an Assistant Stage Manager at the Chelmsford Civic Theatre. He was educated at the Royal Masonic Schools and was Principal bass in the school orchestra, organist for chapel services and accompanist for choral activities. He also took leading roles and co-directed several of the school's dramatic productions. Following his "gap year" he took a three-year course at the University of London studying English, French and Law.

Acclaimed as "One of the Top 50 Very Important People Shaping Life in Hampton Roads" and voted "Readers' Choice Man of the Year" by Coastal Virginia/Hampton Roads Magazine, Michael Curry enjoyed a career as an impresario/art presenter and gallery director for more than four decades. He was named "one of the 20 people who have made the most difference in Hampton Roads over the past 20 years" by Portfolio Magazine and "one of the culturally important people" by VEER Magazine. In 1988, Michael Curry was appointed founding director of The Hampton Arts commission in Virginia, and in 1994, The Hampton Arts Foundation. Under his leadership, two of Hampton's historic buildings, The Charles H. Taylor Arts Center and The American Theatre were saved, restored, and reinvented as vibrant centers for world-class performing and visual arts. The auditorium of The American Theatre was officially named The Michael Paul Curry Hall when he retired. Prior to that, Michael founded and directed the Fine Arts Foundation of Lafayette, LA that is now known as The Performing Arts Serving Acadiana. While there he presented three of the 20th century's ballet superstars — Alexander Godunov, Mikhail Baryshnikov and Rudolf Nureyev.

He served on numerous boards and committees and was the recipient of several prestigious awards including the ALLI award from the Cultural Alliance of Greater Hampton Roads and the City of Hampton's Unity Commission award. He was presented to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and HRH, the Duke of Edinburgh, His Holiness the XIVth Dalai Lama, and President Barack Obama.

Having retired as the City of Hampton's Arts Director, after 25 years of service, he enjoyed life as a consultant, organic gardener, and freelance writer. He published his first book Dining Among the Stars, a compilation of more than 150 recipes from legends and friends with whom he worked during his career.

Michael was predeceased by his parents Thomas Noel Curry and Ruby Anderson Curry nee Harte, his oldest brother Anthony Curry, and his foster father Keith Perry. He is survived by three brothers, Richard (Liz), Jeremy (Judith) and George Robert (Kathryn), one sister Felicity (Paul) Ryan, foster mother Jenny Perry, and two foster brothers Nick Perry and Tom (Alex) Perry, foster sister Katie (Nick) Johnston, numerous nieces and nephews, and his American Miller family.

Donations can be made to Drepung Loseling Monastery, 1781 Dresden Dr., Atlanta GA 30319 or Hampton Arts Foundation.

A Celebration of Life will be held at the American Theatre on Sunday, November 9 from 2-4 pm. Due to limited seating please register by November 5th using this link – https://MichaelCurryCelebrationOfLife.eventbrite.com