New Bedford – Curtis A. Preece, 85, of Fairhaven died at St. Luke’s Hospital on January 8, 2006. He was the husband of Helena B. (Honneyman) Preece, they were married for more than 64 years.
Mr. Preece was born in Fall River, son of the late Ellery C. and Lottie E. (Preece) Sherman, and resided in the Greater New Bedford area most of his life. He was a graduate of New Bedford Vocational School, class of 1938. He was a U.S. Army veteran of WW II having served in Normandy, Northern France, Rhineland, Ardennes and Central Europe, receiving the Purple Heart and the Good Conduct Medals. He was employed for many years as a registered professional electrical engineer working for National Switchboard Corp., the former J. Newington Co., the former E. C. Sherman Co., the former Atkinson Engineering and in private practice. He was the co-founder of National Switchboard Corp. and past President of the Southeast Chapter of the Massachusetts Society of Professional Engineers. He was a principal in the 1938 Vocational Seniors Group, a member of the New Bedford Master Electricians Association, the New Bedford Country Club, V.F.W. Fort Phoenix Post 2892 of Fairhaven, the American Legion Post 166 of Fairhaven, the Aleppo Temple Shrine A.A.O.N. M.S. of Boston, the Sutton Commandry # 16 of New Bedford, the Adoniram Royal Arch Chapter of New Bedford, a 50 year member of the Star in the East Lodge A.F. & A.M and York Rite Chapters of New Bedford, and Past Grand Tall Cedar of the Tall Cedars of Lebanon.
In addition to his widow, he is survived by a daughter: Mary Ann Garcia of New Bedford; 2 sons: Curtis A. Preece, Jr. of Fairhaven and Ellery D. Preece and his wife Brenda of E. Freetown; a sister: Caroline M. Harnish of Miami, FL; a brother: William E. C. Sherman of Ft. Pierce, FL; an aunt: Kate Reed of RI; 6 grandchildren: Eric W. Souza of New Bedford, Sherry Chagnon of Milton, FL, Joshua Garcia of New Bedford, Matthew C.P. Garcia of New Bedford, Curtis A. Preece III of Attleboro, MA and Travis Rebello of New Bedford; 3 great-grandchildren: Andrew Chagnon of Milton, FL, Amanda Chagnon of Milton, FL and Michael Rebello of New Bedford; and several nieces & nephews.
He was brother of the late Verna M. Burgo and Malcolm C. Sherman.
Relatives and friends are invited to attend:
Calling hours on Tuesday, January 10, 2006, 6-9 P.M.
A Masonic Service on Tuesday, January 10, 2006 at 7:00 P.M.
Funeral service on Wednesday, January 11, 2006 at 10:00 A.M. at the KIRBY FUNERAL HOME, 61 Tarkiln Hill Road, New Bedford.
Interment in River-side Cemetery, Fairhaven.