Peter William Curreri, MD, 89, of Spanish Fort, Alabama, passed away peacefully on Friday, March 20, 2026. Born on September 2, 1936, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, he was a loving father, survived by the mother of his children, Pat Wilson of Green Valley, AZ; his children, Charles Curreri (Kelly) of Universal City, TX, and Gina Thompson of Green Valley, AZ; step daughter, Lisa Pattison, MD, of Fairhope, AL; six grandchildren; two great grandchildren; and sister, Bonnie Falcon. He was preceded in death by his son, James Curreri, his parents, Dr. Anthony and Dorthea Curreri and sister, Cynthia Brady.
When he entered Swarthmore College he had no career plan in mind, but by 1958, he was certain that he was destined to seek a career involving education of upcoming generations, the pursuit of basic research and provision of service to individuals regardless of their ability to pay. He spent the next decade at the University of Pennsylvania as a medical student, intern and surgical resident after which he was inducted into the U.S. Army and was stationed at the famed Brooke Army Burn Unit at Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio, Texas, where he served as clinical chief during the Vietnam Conflict. Following his discharge after three years, he was an assistant professor of surgery at the University of Texas at Dallas, associate professor at the University of Washington, professor at Cornell University at New York City and finally Professor and Chairman of the Department of Surgery at the University of South Alabama at Mobile. When he left academia after 40 years he and a colleague and dear friend, Mary Schuerman, established a corporation which managed three to five national scientific associations where they were responsible for educational pursuits e.g. annual scientific conventions.
Dr. Curreri also had the honor of serving as President of four national surgical associations including the Society of University Surgeons, the American Association for the Surgery of Trauma, the American Burn Association and the Halstead Society, which allowed continued participation in post-graduate education. His basic and clinical research resulted in well over 300 publications in scientific journals and textbooks. His career allowed participation in the education of over 2800 students and residents. In addition, he was a practicing surgeon with subspecialties in trauma and burn care. When he retired in 2017, he felt satisfied that his career goals had been met.
There will be a time of visitation on Monday, March 30, 2026, at Hughes Funeral Home, 26209 Pollard Road, Daphne, AL, from 11AM-1:PM. Followed by the burial service at the Alabama State Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Spanish Fort, AL, at 2PM.
In lieu of flowers donations may be made in memory of Peter WilliamCurreri, MD, online to the Dementia Society of America at www.DementiaSociety.org/donate, to the Haven for Animals online at www.havenforanimals.org or US Armed Forces Honor Guard of Baldwin County, Alabama, by mailing a check to Armed Forces Honor Guard, P.O. Box 116, Daphne, Alabama 36526.
Hughes Funeral Home, 26209 Pollard Road, Daphne, AL, is assisting the family.
To the Curreri Family:
Please accept my sincere and heartfelt condolences to you upon the passing of your patriarch, Dr. P. William Curreri.
It was my privilege and honor to be mentored by him as I began my academic career within the Department of Surgery at the University of South Alabama.
He was renowned for his academic and surgical prowess.
He was revered by his patients, his medical students, his surgical residents, his faculty, and his peers.
May he Requiescat in Pace. May your family be at Shalom.
Thank you Dr. Rodning for your beautiful tribute! I was blessed enough to be not only his stepdaughter but a medical student during your tenure! I am so to have had both of you as influential forces
Those of us at Westminster Village who knew, loved and respected Dr. Curreri will miss his company, and presence among us. We look forward to honoring him.
Sorry Should have read Sonja and I will be praying for family and comforted by the legacy he leaves
I was a surgical resident under Dr Curreri from 1982 to 1987 I knew him as a medical student at South Alabama when he came around 1981 or so I had opportunities to go to other universities to do my surgical training but everywhere I went the chairmen of those programs would ask me why would u leave South Alabama You have one of the best academic surgeons right there at South So thankful I took there advice I can truly say that was some of the best 5 years of my life and Dr Curreri was the reason Such a great teacher Always calm no matter what and a true professional and gentleman He was the best and we all loved that man and he believed in us and I owe so much of my successful and rewarding career to him I was fortunate to keep up w him through the years and had the honor of actually having him as a surgical patient Even then he had not changed He was still the hero that I knew many years ago Sonja and I will never praying for yall through this time I pray that u are comforted by the legate leaves behind in all of us that was fortunate enough to have trained under him God Bless
After 37 years, saying goodbye is difficult.. In 1979, Dr. P. William Curreri became my boss at USA Hospital. Later he became “Bill” my mentor, my business partner, and a special friend.
He shared so much of his knowledge, tenacity, and work ethic, helping our company succeed. Together we contracted and managed meetings in over 40 US states as well as international destinations.
Friends are the family you choose and Bill definitely became part of our family. I will be forever grateful for his friendship, leadership, encouragement, support, and loyalty.
Have such fond memories of Dr. Curreri. I’ve had the privilege of knowing him since I was a little girl. He patiently let me call him Dr. Cu and always treated me with such kindness and respect seeking to include me in conversation even though I was quite young. I eventually moved away from Mobile, but always enjoyed seeing him and catching up when visiting over the holidays. Once he invited my family over for a New Year’s dinner. My kids watched the Wizard of Oz while he prepared a meal for us. He could make a mean lamb shank and zabaione! It was always a joy to spend time with him. He will be missed. Praying for each of you now.
My condolences to your family for your loss. My mom worked with Dr. Curreri when I was growing up so I have known him for most of my life. My memories of him include his love of crossword puzzles, riding in his car while he listened to Rush Limbaugh and eating wonderful meals that he prepared at his home. I know Dr. Curreri will be remembered for his many accomplishments but I will remember him most for his kind and giving heart. He had a positive impact on so many and I am grateful to have known him. Forever remembered.
Chip my deepest condolences to you, and your family. Your father was a very accomplished man. His life long service to health care and research coupled with his service to our nation cannot be understated.
I know he will be missed by all who knew him.
John