James "Jim" Robert Curtis, 78, of Lafayette, Colo., died April 11 at home. He was the husband of Susan Curtis. He was born January 29, 1938, in Danbury, and was a son of the late Sarah Frances Curtis and Nelson Curtis.

Mr Curtis grew up in Sandy Hook, and attended Nichols College and the University of Bridgeport before joining his father at S. Curtis and Son in Sandy Hook.

He worked for a number of packaging companies in various executive roles. He retired in 2014 after having run his own consulting company for 15 years.

Mr Curtis loved the outdoors. He was an avid skier, runner, and biker. He also enjoyed golf, hiking, and travel. He cherished family, and loved celebrating special events with his children and grandchildren. Mr Curtis believed in giving back to the community, and he volunteered for the American Red Cross, Sister Carmen in Lafayette, and Community Food Share.

Besides his wife, his brother Jeff Curtis of Mount View, Calif.; two daughters and their husbands, Pam and John Quist of New Preston and Christine and Peter Kirschenbaum of Hamden; a son, James Curtis of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia; stepson and wife Todd and Tamar Goodale of Charlottesville, Va.; and eight grandchildren survive Mr Curtis. His stepson Scott Goodale predeceased him.

A celebration of his life will take place May 15, in Colorado. Crist Mortuary in Boulder is in charge of arrangements.