Born in 1924 at Jamestown General Hospital to Jessie and James Currie Sr, immigrants from Glasgow, Scotland, James Currie Jr enlisted in the first units of the “Seabees” in WWII in 1943. He served in the South Pacific and was discharged in 1946. He married Marilyn Stewart, who he was with for 56 years before she passed in 2004, and is the father to Laurie, Kevin, Bonnie and Scott, along with having 11 grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. His occupation has been a tool and die maker for Jamestown and Buffalo, Art Metal, Marlin Rockwell and Blackstone — Research and Development. He is the oldest member of The Henry Mosher American Legion Post 638 in Falconer.

James Currie Jr’s son, Scott Currie, said having his father reach 100 years of age is special.

“He’s turning 100 years old and that’s a special event,” Currie said. “He served in WWII and Veterans Day is coming up, and also he is a father to more than just his family, having many people he has mentored throughout the years.”

Currie added that reaching 100 is a milestone that gets recognized by the White House and that it is pretty important, saying he hopes he inherited some of his father’s good genes. The family is hoping to shower James Currie Jr with 100 cards to celebrate his milestone. The idea for having a card shower came because the family thought a party might be a bit too much for him, and also because Currie said his father knows many people in many places.

“There are many people that know him in Florida, North Carolina, Virginia and New York,” Currie said. “This was the best way we felt people who may not get to see him but are thinking about him could help acknowledge his milestone and we thought it was a great idea.”

Currie said his father has lived with his sister in Florida, his brother in North Carolina and with him in Virginia, so he has many people that know him in all three states.

Those wishing to send cards to help celebrate can send them to James Currie Jr., 2796 Garfield Road Jamestown, New York 14701. Currie said cards should include first and last names and some sort of short memory of where they know his father from, and possibly a picture. While James Currie Jr’s birthday is not until Nov 3, Currie said cards can be sent at any time.

“He is known by many and loved by all,” Currie said.