Harold Woodward “Hal” Curtis Sr., a lifelong Stoughton resident, passed away at home on Friday November 24, 2006. He was 83 years old. He was the beloved husband of Estella B. (Crawford).
Born June 27, 1923 at home, he was the cherished son of the late Harold M. Curtis Jr. and Sybil I. (Benn). He attended Stoughton Public Schools and was a graduate of Stoughton High School. He later attended Northeastern University in Boston, MA. and graduated with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Mechanical Engineering. He also spent many hours completing course work at The Massachusetts Institute Of Technology in Cambridge,MA.
Mr. Curtis enlisted with The United States Army in December of 1942. He attained the rank of PFC and was a Lieutenant Machine Gunner with Company E of the 302nd Infantry Regiment. Mr. Curtis was involved in combat missions in Northern France, Ardennes and Rhineland. He was an expert Combat Infantryman. He was the proud recipient of the Word War II Victory Medal, The American Theater Campaign Ribbon, The Good Conduct Medal, The European African Middle Eastern Theater Campaign Ribbon with three Service Stars, The Purple Heart and Bronze Star.
After completing his military service, Mr. Curtis returned to his home In Stoughton, Massachusetts and began his career as a Registered Professional Mechanical Engineer specializing in Viscosity Control with the former Brookfield Engineering Laboratories in Stoughton,MA. He was gainfully employed there for over 50 years, having officially retired from working life in 2003.
Mr. Curtis was a member and attended The First Congregational Church of Stoughton and was very active in many church related committees, functions and activities. He was a proud leader with the local Boy Scout Troop # 57 in Stoughton. He was a member of the Stoughton Fish & Game Aassociation Inc. and assisted many members with Pistol Shooting. He was an expert pistol team member and served as team captain for many years. He also was a member of The Michael Romanuk VFW Post 1645 in Stoughton, The Infantry Division Association and The Mayflower Society.
Mr. Curtis was also a former night Math school teacher at Southeastern Regional Vocational High School. He was a longtime judge and active participant of many Stoughton High School and Middle School science fairs. He was also a proud member of the local chapter of the DAV. He enjoyed his summer residency in Harwich, MA and had many loving pets in his lifetime. He was extremely proud of his family.
He is survived by his children, Harold W. Curtis Jr. and his wife Diane of Stoughton, Carolyn I. Curtis- Mahoney and her husband Allen of Stoughton, Jeanne R. Curtis of Stoughton and Allen D. Curtis (S.P.D.) and his wife Christine, also of Stoughton. He is also survived by his eleven adoring grandchildren, five great-grandchildren and many other relatives, friends and colleagues.
His funeral service will be held on Tuesday November 28, 2006 at 11:00 A.M. in the First Congregational Church, United Church of Christ, 76 Pierce Street, Stoughton. The Pastor Reverend Jean Niven Lenk, officiating. Burial will follow in the family lot at Evergreen Cemetery, Stoughton.
Visiting hours to which relatives and friends are cordially invited to attend will be held on Monday November 27, 2006 from 5-8 P.M. from the Sheehan Funeral Home, 115 Monk Street (OFF ROUTE 138 AT THE WEBSTER BANK), Stoughton.
In lieu of flowers, donations to The American Heart Association, 20 Speen Street, Framingham,MA 01701 or The Stoughton Fish And Game Association, Inc., Washington Street, Stoughton,MA 02072 in Hal’s memory, would be greatly appreciated.