Nelson G. Curtis, Former

 President of Local Company

Nelson G. Curtis of Southbury and Newtown died February 27 in Mountain View, Calif. at the age of 86. Mr Curtis had been in a residential care facility in California near his younger son since 1996.

He was born in Sandy Hook in 1913 and graduated from the Taft School in Watertown in 1931. Mr Curtis then attended the University of Pennsylvania where he graduated from the Wharton School of Business in 1935. At Penn he earned letters on both the lightweight football team and crew.

Mr Curtis began working at what was then the S. Curtis & Son folding paper box company in Sandy Hook in 1937. He began as a purchasing agent and over a 44-year career worked his way up to vice president, president, and then chairman when he retired in 1981.

He was always very active in civic affairs in Newtown, including being chairman of the Board of Education in the late 1950s. He was also trustee of the Newtown Savings Bank, on the Board of Directors for Blue Cross/Blue Shield of Connecticut and on the Board of the Waterbury Symphony. After his retirement he traveled extensively around the world, became a very capable photographer, winning many prizes at local shows, and continued with many civic responsibilities.

Mr Curtis is survived by his two sons, Jim Curtis of Lafayette, Colo., and Jeff Curtis of Mountain View, Calif.; three grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren. He was married to the late Sylvea (Bull) Curtis. Mr Curtis was an adventurer, greatly enjoying world travel, and his life values were based on integrity, loyalty, excellence, participation, and giving back to the community.

A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, March 11 at 11 am at St Paul’s Church, 294 Main Street, Woodbury. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent in Nelson’s name to St Paul’s Church, PO Box B, Woodbury, CT 06798.

The Newtown Bee         March 3, 2000