Celebrating America Through Local Eyes

Greg Curry 

Born and raised in Key West, fifth-generation Floridian Greg Curry has a love for its environment andwildlife in his blood.  

Over the past two decades, Greg has worn several hats including: The Rookery Bay NERR Fire Management Officer, Marine Mammal Coordinator, Sea Turtle Permit Holder, removal of nuisanceanimals, UAS Pilot, Boating Safety Officer, and regular maintenance on equipment used for the programs above. He supported the Deepwater Horizon disaster as a Natural Resource Damage Assessment team member andis at the ready to assist with hurricane relief efforts when needed.He recently took on the role of Facilities and Construction Projects withinThe Rookery Bay NERR.  

He visited Maine in ’93 and began working as a naturalist for Bar Harbor Whale Watch, and before long took on the hats of engineer and captain of the Friendship V. In ’95, the same boat became a seasonal run from Marco Island and Key West, and he hasn’t left the Island since, save for occasional work trips up north.  

After 9/11, he felt called to help and went to NYC, where the Friendship V was being used to supplement as a train commuter run from New Jersey to Manhattan. It was during those runs that he experienced the true sense of American pride and compassion, seeing the melting pot of America come together.  

In his rare spare time, he enjoys cheering on his daughter, Marcelina, in her volleyball tournaments and having her by his side as she learnsthe beginner steps of wearing multiple hats herself!  
 
What does Freedom mean to you? 
The ability tobe who you are and say what you want to say.Freedom of speech is huge!There are so manythings you can do with this. I have always had a sense of service and community, willing to help others before myself. With freedom, I have the ability to do this.You can do anything. You have a choice.  
 
If you could travel back in time to one event in Marco Island's history, which one would it be? 
I would love to know what the Calusa Indians were doing. The things that I see in my current job with the reserve, my time in the 10,000 Islands, and here on Marcoshows their civilization was pretty developed. I would love to know more! 
I would also like to know about my family that traveled through Marco Island from Key Westin the mid-1800s.They visited Captain Horr on HorrIslandand continued up the coast to establish the original village of Manatee (now East Bradenton), where two homes (The Curry Houses) remain as historical sites and as important markers of the community’s history.