NATICK: Enoch Henry “Hank” Curtis, age 88, of Natick, died on Saturday afternoon, August 29, 2015, surrounded by family at the MetroWest Medical Center in Natick. He and his wife, Kathleen “Anita” (Maroney) Curtis, were to celebrate their 65th wedding anniversary on October 21st.
Born, raised and educated in Newton, he was the son of the late Enoch H. and Doris (Cahill) Curtis. Hank left High School early to volunteer with the US Coast Guard and served aboard the Fletcher Class Destroyer USS Callaghan in the Pacific Theatre. He and his shipmates provided support in the battles for Saipan, Guam, the Philippines and Leyte Gulf. He continued to serve after the war during the Occupation of Japan.
Hank returned from the war and started work with the Regis Paper Company in Newton Upper Falls, married Anita in 1950, and settled in Natick to start their family. He worked corrugating paper and as a forklift operator until his retirement after 48 years with the company. Not one to remain idle, Hank worked part time with Stop & Shop in Natick for several years prior to joining the staff at the Leo J. Martin Golf Course in Weston. He remained active there, working and playing golf, well into his 80s.
The Curtis Family enjoyed time spent at their vacation cabin on Lake Horace in Weare, New Hampshire. Very much an outdoorsman, Hank enjoyed waterskiing and fishing, hunting trips to Vermont, and could split wood for hours on end. He loved time spent with Anita and their family which grew to include seven grandchildren and most recently, a great-granddaughter.
In addition to his wife, he is survived by their three sons, Robert S. Curtis and wife Cheryl of Assonet, Michael H. Curtis and wife Roseanne of Framingham, and Stephen A. Curtis and wife Karen of Holbrook; their grandchildren, Danielle, Jennifer, Brian, Nicholas, Dylan, Janean, and Adam; and great-granddaughter, Alexandria. Brother of the late Norma Hartley, Hank is also survived by many nieces and nephews.
His funeral will be from the John Everett & Sons Funeral Home, 4 Park Street at Natick Common, on Thursday, Sept. 3rd at 9AM with a Mass of Christian Burial to follow Good Shepherd Parish, 99 Main Street, Wayland, at 10:00AM. Burial with military honors will follow at Edgell Grove Cemetery, Framingham.
Visiting hours will be Wednesday, 4 – 8PM. Donations may be made in Hank’s memory to the New England Chapter Paralyzed Veterans of America, 1600 Providence Hwy, Suite 143, Walpole, MA 02081. (www.nepva.org).