CHANNING L. CURTIS, age 87, a lifelong resident of Hingham, retired town employee and lover of all things Hingham, died on Monday, June 8th, 2009 at the Harbor House Nursing Center in Hingham where he was a resident for the last 8 years.
Mr. Curtis was born in Hingham, was a graduate of Hingham High School and in the early days of World War II went to work at the Hingham Ammunition Depot packing munitions and as a brakeman on the trains that moved the munitions from the depot to the annex located at what is now Wompatuck State Park. The empty bunkers for ammunition storage are still visible in the park giving silent testimony to a major part of Hingham's war effort. When called, Channing served in the Army Air Corps on the island of Guam for the duration of the war. Hingham was his immediate destination at the war's end. He then became a motorcycle patrolman for the Hingham Police Dept. during which time he spotted his future bride, Virginia, through the window of a flower shop in downtown Hingham.
Many of the town’s adults have childhood memories of Mr. Curtis as their school bus driver, or as the custodian of Foster School. Few are aware that for many years he was the mechanic who kept their school bus fleet in good repair. His lifelong love affair with the internal combustion engine was evident in the knowing glint in his eyes when he would talk of Harley, Indian, Ford or Terraplane.
He was pre-deceased by his wife, Virginia (Oates) Curtis; his parents, Wyman J. and Roslyn (Waugh) Curtis; and brothers, Stanley and Clyde Curtis. He is survived by his nieces; Barbara C. Coffey of Hingham, Judith C. Anglin of Hanson, Susan C. Moody of Plymouth and Elizabeth C. Chapman of Carver.
A funeral procession will leave the Downing Cottage Funeral Chapel, 21 Pond St., Hingham on Monday, June 15th at 10:30 AM for a graveside service at the Fort Hill Cemetery, Hingham at 11 AM.