Mark Anthony McCurdy, known affectionately as “Huck” by his family and “Aukmid” by his island community, passed away peacefully on March 6, 2026, in Virginia. He was 77 years old. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, March 21, 2026, at Moss-Stovall-Neal Funeral Home, 55 S. Alexander St., Toccoa, GA 30577.

Born in Toccoa, Georgia, on December 3, 1948, to Frank Roy and Hilda Mosley McCurdy, Mark’s journey led him from Georgia to Howard University, and eventually to St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands, where he raised his family. Known as “Daddy” to his children, he was an avid diver and spear fisher who filled his home with the rhythms of Bob Marley and reggae music.

A deeply spiritual man, Mark was known as “Prophet” by his island friends. He dedicated his life to teaching his family about the love of God. In his retirement in Virginia, he remained the family patriarch and became a talented artist under the name Arafat, painting the vibrant scenes of St. Croix he loved so dearly.

Mark was preceded in death by his son, Ernest Carter McCurdy.

He is survived by his children: Anita McCurdy, Babet McCurdy Benjamin, Hilda McCurdy James, Carol McCurdy Ritter, Sediqque McCurdy, and Saul (Ira) McCurdy.

He is also survived by his grandchildren: Aliyah Harris, Raheem Harris, Jahempress Gillard, Amir Bailey, Malik Bailey, Taajwar Samuel, Noradeen (Muhammad) Ritter, Ali Ritter, Dunya Ritter, Durrah Ritter, Isa Ritter, and Isaac Ritter; and his great-grandchildren, Kalani Cruz and Skie Maxwell.