Ex-Savannah Economic Development Board Chairman Passes Away

SAVANNAH, Ga. () — Beloved Savannah businessman Cliff McCurry passed away Thursday night, his family confirmed.

McCurry was serving as the Director of Community Development at Sterling Seacrest Pritchard, where he had worked for over 16 years.

In 2019, he was welcomed into the Savannah Business Hall of Fame. McCurry held various roles across multiple organizations, including the St. Joseph’s/Candler Health System Foundation, World Trade Center Savannah, Savannah Economic Development Authority, Communities in Schools of Savannah, and the Savannah Area Chamber of Commerce.

On behalf of the McCurry family, his son Jamie released a statement highlighting, “Our father and grandfather had a deep affection for the state of Georgia, expressing immense pride in serving this community. His legacy of kindness, service, and mentorship sets a path for us and countless others to emulate.”

Jamie said, “While we mourn his passing, we celebrate a life exceptionally well lived and rejoice in his Salvation.”

McCurry was honored in 2025 with the Distinguished Alumni Award by the University of Georgia’s Terry College of Business.

Nina Gompels, who was closely acquainted with McCurry, remarked, “For more than 35 years, I had the honor of knowing a man whose heart was as vast as his love for Savannah. He played many roles—friend, boss, mentor, promoter—and somehow navigated all of them with grace, humor, and endless energy. A gifted storyteller and unrelenting advocate for the community, he had the ability to make everyone feel important.”

Gompels continued, “We had a treasured tradition of celebrating our birthdays together every year, and I’m incredibly thankful we could celebrate his one last time on July 8th. He constantly seized opportunities to care for others, whether spearheading a community initiative or ensuring my friends and I were safe by sending messages all the way to Costa Rica. I will always hold dear our years of friendship and the legacy of goodwill, laughter, and steadfast dedication he leaves behind.”