McCurdy, Alvin D., 1916-1989

Alvin D. McCurdy was born in 1916 in Amherstburg, Essex County, Ontario, Canada, where he lived throughout his life.

McCurdy attended Amherstburg Public School and General Amherstburg High School. He later studied carpentry, eventually becoming a carpenter and cabinet maker. In 1949, he joined the Carpenters and Joiners Union of America, Local 494 and, in 1968, was elected its President.

McCurdy was also a noted geneaologist, Black historian and collector of Black historical materials. During the early 1980s, he contributed to a history of Black churches in Canada, "The AfriCanadian Church: A Stabilizer" written by Dorothy Shadd Shreve in 1983.

In addition, McCurdy was involved in various community organizations. In 1949, he joined the Prince Hall Freemasonry, a Black Masonic lodge, established in 1774, and was also active in Lincoln Lodge No. 8 in Amherstburg. Further, McCurdy participated in anti-discrimination action groups organised by the Black community. These included: the Amherstburg Community Club, the Amherstburg Progressive Association of Coloured People and the South Essex Citizens' Advancement Association. McCurdy was also a member of the Amherstburg Planning Board during the 1970's and, in this capacity, served on the Local Architectural Conservation Advisory Committee.

McCurdy died in 1989.