Obituary of Joseph VanCura

Joseph Allen Van Cura January 28, 1931 - February 4, 2013 Joseph A. Van Cura of Eugene died Monday, February 4th, at Sacred Heart RiverBend in Springfield of lung cancer. Joe was born in Bayshore, New York on January 28, 1931, the only child of Joseph and Dorothy Van Cura. Joe graduated from East Islip Union High School in NY, where he was known as Pepi by his family and friends. He married Eileen J. Nowak in June, 1952. When the Korean War broke out, Joe enlisted in the army where he achieved the rank of corporal and served in Korea. After the war, Joe entered the meat cutting industry and started his own butcher shop in East Islip. In 1970, Joe and his family drove across the country leaving NY and settling in Cheshire, OR where he was employed as a meat cutter at Waremart and other grocery stores in Eugene and worked there until his retirement. Joe and Eileen divorced in 1984. Joe remarried Christina Murphy in 1986. His leisure time included yard work, traveling, and sports. He had an easy going demeanor and a great sense of humor. He is survived by his wife Christina, his four children (Laura Caldwell, Joe Van Cura, Linda Tucker, and Lois Ames), step daughter (Susan Murphy), daughter and sons in law, Janice Van Cura, Walt Tucker and Phil Ames, step daughter in law Terry Murphy, 11 grandchildren, four step grandchildren, four great grandchildren, and six step great grandchildren. One son in law, Richard Caldwell, his step son, Larry Murphy, one granddaughter and one step granddaughter preceded him in death. He will live on in the memories and hearts of his family and friends. Arrangements entrusted to Musgroves Murphy-Musgrove Funeral Home.