John Alden Curtis, 74, of Southport, died peacefully at home on June 14. He was born on May 11, 1937 in Boston, Mass. to John Alden Curtis Sr. and Evelyn Rolfe Curtis. While growing up in Maine and Massachusetts John and his family lived for a time with his grandparents H. C. (Cliff) Rolfe and Grace Park Rolfe of Rumford and George A. Curtis and Mary (May) Simmons Curtis of Pittsfield, Mass.
After high school he served in the US Army in Freiberg, Germany from 1956 to 1958 and in the Reserves until 1962. John thoroughly enjoyed developing imaginative improvements to common problems. During his tour of duty in Germany John drove a jeep for a Major.
He earned a Bachelor of Science and a Masters of Business Administration from the University of New Hampshire. In 1963 he began his 25-year career in business administration in secondary and collegiate institutions which included Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, University of New Hampshire, Worcester Polytechnic Institute, New Hampton School, Foxcroft School and Putney School.
In 1963 he married Karen Goodridge of Camden. Together they had three children. John was a very loving, giving and patient person and his family meant everything to him. To his grandchildren he was “grandpa fixit.”
John was always an active volunteer in both his personal and professional communities. He served as President of the Business Associates of the Independent School Association of Northern New England and was a member of the Financial Officers Group of Virginia. In addition, he served on several community committees and associations over the years including Chairman of the Solid Waste Disposal Committee, in Lee N.H., and the Newfound (N.H.) Area Nursing Association.
John loved music and singing. All his life he sang in the choirs of the churches to which he belonged.
Upon his retirement to Southport in 1987, John continued to be an active volunteer and community member. He was active in the Seaside Masonic Lodge and served on the Southport Cemetery Committee, and on the board of trustees of the Southport Methodist Church. John worked on the annual auction with his fellow Southport fire fighters, and his tuba was unmistakable in the alumnae community band concerts and parades. John loved to help his family, friends, and neighbors with various home improvement, boat improvement, property improvement, and auto improvement projects. John had a wealth of self-taught knowledge which he willingly shared with anyone who asked or anyone in need. John also enjoyed sailing, skiing, canoeing, restoring (and later simply admiring) antique cars, and generally being outdoors. He cut and split his firewood every year.
In addition to his wife Karen of 47 years, John is survived by his children, Jeffrey A. F. Curtis (Heather) of Dunstable, Mass., Daniel R. Curtis (Marilyn) of Creedmoor, N.C. and Jennifer C. Heil (Matthew) of Westford, Mass.; grandchildren, Tyler, Elsa, Samuel and Joseph; aunt, Frances R. McKnight of Auburn; brothers, James R. Curtis (Elizabeth) of Bridgton and Peter F. Curtis (Monique) of Yarmouth; cousins, G. Stanley McKnight (Sophia) of Seattle, Wash. and Barbra M. Trafton (Richard) of Auburn; in-laws, Joanne B. Clough of York, Mark R. Goodridge (Susan) of Coopers Mills, Joanna R. Goodridge (Daniel Doyle) of Westbrook, Patricia G. Worth (John) of Belfast and Ellen G. Vickers (Tyler) of Coopers Mills; and numerous nieces and nephews.
The family respectfully suggests that if friends desire, memorial donations may be made to the Boothbay Region Student Aid Fund, P.O. Box 293, Boothbay Harbor, ME 04538 or The Boothbay Region Land Trust, PO Box 183, Boothbay Harbor, ME 04538.
You are invited to share your condolences, photos and tributes with the Curtis family by visiting their Book of Memories at www.hallfuneralhomes.com.
Arrangements entrusted to Simmons, Harrington & Hall, 975 Wiscasset Rd., Boothbay.
