Richard D. Curtis Sr.
Richard D. Curtis Sr., retired treasurer of Curtis Farms Supermarkets and Curtis Compacts, died at Milton Hospital Saturday, June 12, 2010. He is survived by his loving wife Connie, his son Richard Jr. and his wife Joan, his daughters Lisa and Deborah and her husband Burgess. Cherished grandfather of Caroline, Natalie, Teresa, Kathleen and Matthew. Brother of David Curtis of Florida, Jean Barrett of Braintree, Dorothy Kelley of Milton and the late Thomas Curtis, S. Alan Curtis and Mary Berlo.
Dick was born on October 15, 1922, in Dorchester, to Thomas and Alice (Callahan) Curtis. He graduated from Quincy High School in 1940 and went on to work as a butcher in his father’s meat market. After enlisting in 1942 during World War II, he was sent to the Tenth Armored Division where he was promoted to Sergeant. He was selected to participate in the Army Specialized Training Program at Camp Gordon, GA. After only 4 months of intensive training, the war turned bad and the Army discontinued the program. Dick was ordered to join the ‘Battle Babies’ of the Army’s 99th Infantry Division and shipped out of Boston in September 1944. He arrived in Belgium to join his Division on the front in the Battle of the Bulge, attacking the Siegfried line in Germany. In December 1944, Dick received dangerous shrapnel wounds from an 88 millimeter shell and was saved by 4 medics who carried him 5 miles through the knee deep snow in the Ardennes to a first aid tent. He was transferred to a hospital in Malmady, Belgium and was then immediately evacuated when the Germans moved to invade the town. After several operations, he recuperated in southern England, where his brother, David, who was with the Airs Corp and stationed there, was able to visit him. Dick considered himself lucky to be wounded early in World War II as his regiment went on to suffer a 115% casualty loss with many of the replacements killed, wounded, or captured.
He returned to the U.S. and attended Burdett College, graduating with a degree in accounting, in 1947. In 1954, Dick and his brothers opened up their first grocery store in Quincy, MA and went on to operate 7 Curtis Farms Supermarkets, 32 Curtis Compact convenience stores, and a liquor store, all on the South Shore. Dick was president of the Holy Name Society at St. Mary of the Hills Parish in Milton and belonged to both the Rotary and Knights of Columbus for over 20 years.
In 1978, Dick retired and took up golf as a second career. He was an avid golfer and a member of Wollaston Golf Club for 55 years. After 32 attempts, he finally won the Fallon Cup tournament with Geoff Sisk in 1989. He served twice as golf chairman and house chairman, and then as vice president and president. He received Wollaston’s first Distinguished Service Award in 2000. Later on, he founded and directed the annual Octogenarian Tournament at the club. He golfed in the winters in Florida at Jupiter Hills Country Club for 16 years and Tequesta Country Club for 2 years.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated in Saint Elizabeth Church, corner of Reedsdale Road and Randolph Avenue, Milton, Thursday June 17 at 11:00 AM. Relatives and friends invited. Visiting hours at Dolan Funeral Home, 460 Granite Avenue, MILTON, Wednesday 4-8 PM. Interment Milton Cemetery.
Donations in Dick’s memory may be made to Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation, 811 W. Evergreen, Suite 303, Chicago, IL 60640.
Guestbook Entries
How can I say “Thank You” to such a wonderful Uncle and Godfather.
Uncle Dick was always quick with a joke and a smile that warmed your heart. The year I joined him in the Fallon Cup at Wollaston was memorable. A round of golf with Dick was always a great pleasure. Although his game had become challenged by time,as it is for all who play, his competetive spirit and optimism never faltered. A caring man to the end, Uncle Dick phoned me two weeks ago to inquire how I was feeling after a health issue. With challenges of his own, he took the time to check on me. I am so grateful we had a chance to speak that day. I will miss Dick’s wit and wisdom that he shared so easily with all who had the honor to know him. Thank You Uncle Dick!
Dear Connie, Rick, Debbie & Lisa:
Bill & I are deeply saddened to hear of Dick’s passing. He was a fantastic guy and a tremendous friend. If you ever had a problem you could always go to Dick for advise, and trust in his judgement. He was always smiling and cracking a joke or two. Bill and I have many fond memories of times spent with you & Dick over many years past. He was a true Christian and gentleman in every sense of the word. He will be dearly missed by everyone who was fortunate enough to have know him. ~ Our love and prayers are with you. Bill & Dottie
To Rick and family,
Last night my son Pat who works at Wollaston Golf Club came home and told me “Dad, Dick Curtis passed away.” I felt a profound sadness after hearing those words. As you know I have known you and your father for atleast forty years. He was always a happy person and a JOY to be around. Whenever I think of your Dad in the future, I know it will bring a smile to my face. I realize what a sad time this is for your Mom and sisters, But all the great memories will hopefully sustain you. May God be good to him.
To Connie, Rick, Debbie , Lisa & Families
We were deeply saddened to hear of Dick’s passing and
please know that you are all in our thoughts and prayers
during this time of loss. With great fondness we will remember
Dick from the beginning days of “Operation ID” to the many holiday
seasons of his greeting customers with the annual “Curtis Liquors”
calendar that usually included the telling of a fun story or joke but
the most heartfelt moments with Dick and Connie as well were
wanting to genuinely know about you, your children and their
escapades. We will hold dear those moments spent with
Dick in his “Curtis Circle”
Love to All
Jerry, Pat, Jennifer, Mary, Amy & Michael
Dear Mrs. Curtis, Lisa, Debbie and Rick,
We are so grateful to have known Mr. Curtis. He always had a twinkle in those beautiful blue eyes, always had a joke to tell and loved to laugh and have others laugh along with him. He was such a joy to be around. We are saddened to hear of his passing. You are in our thoughts and prayers.
Phran and Don Roth
The inimitable “Dick” Curtis is woven into the tapestry of my early life. A force like no other he was the epitome of forthrightness, honesty and integrity. A man among men, he left an indelible mark upon me and my time spent in his company is remembered with warmth and fondness. Connie, Rick, Debbie and Lisa may you take comfort in the knowledge that those we carry in our hearts are never gone from us. You are all in my thoughts and prayers. God bless….
Dear Connie & family, I was so saddened to read of Dick’s passing. I have so many wonderful memories of him. Even after I left (Angelo’s) he and I would bump into each other & he always had something fun to say. Always left me laughing! Dick was one of the most wonderful people I have ever known. He certainly will be missed. My thoughts and prayers are with you. Bobbie
Dear Connie,
Oh so sad to hear about Dick’s passing. We always remember the adventures at the turkey farm, riding the horses, with Dick head of the pack! So much fun in Brookline and in your Arlington visits, too.
Snookie and Mary had great stories through the years and you were always so wonderful to us all!
Much love,
O’Neil/Geremontes
Dear Mrs. Curtis & family, So sorry to hear of your loss. Dick was a great guy. It seems like only the other day when I met Dick and the family, at the turkey farm on the old route 128 in weymouth. Dick was a great help to me in the early years of my business career. Always a gentleman to work with, a great sense of humor and a pleasure to have been associated with. Fond regards, Clarence Whitney & family