John Curry died 29 February 1876 at the age of 90 leaving his widow Jane and son John Jr.  John Curry's obituary was printed in the Colonial Standard and the Eastern Chronicle newspaper.

Death Of A Centenarian - On Tuesday last, the well known and universally liked John Curry - better known as "Old Black John" - passed from amongst us, at an age far beyond that of the generality of men, he having passed the three-score-and-ten alloted to man by nearly thirty-two years. - John Curry was originally a slave in the Southern States of America, and the old man loved to tell the story of his escape from his master's plantation to the British man of war by swimming a distance of nearly a mile, with the bullets raining around him from his pursuers.  He was landed in this Province, and passed over four score of years in the vicinity of this town, cultivating his farm, and by his honest and always straightforward conduct, doing much to dissipate the prejudices entertained of the negro by those who inhabit Nova Scotia, as indeed in all countries of the latitude.  John was a very muscular man, and when in his prime could laugh at fatigue such as few men could endure.  He leaves a widow - a woman of his own color - who is now very old, though active and intelligent. - Colonial Standard.