CHARLTON
Arthur Edward Curtis, 87, passed away peacefully at his home in Charlton, MA on July 22, 2021.
After graduating from Reading Memorial High School in 1951, Arthur attended Bridgeton Academy and received accounting degrees from Bates College and Bentley College. For over twenty-years he attended and volunteered for the William and Lawrence Camp for Boys, and later enjoyed reunion events. He served as a Specialist in the U.S. Army from 1954-1956, stationed in Korea just after the Korean Armistice Agreement was signed.
In 1958 Arthur joined the Masons and was a member of the Good Samaritan Lodge in Reading, MA throughout his life. He was a member of the Worcester County Shrine Club, serving as assistant treasurer, treasurer, secretary, and president. He served on the Board of Directors of the 32o Masonic Learning Center for Dyslexic Children for 20 years including tenures as assistant treasurer, treasurer, and secretary and was proud of his role in helping to raise an endowment of $300 million. He also enjoyed transporting children to the Shriner’s hospital, and seating elderly visitors at the annual Aleppo Shriners Circus.
Arthur was a member of the St Luke’s Episcopal Church in Worcester for 40 years, until he no longer felt comfortable driving. During this time, he served on the church’s vestry including roles as assistant treasurer, treasurer, and warden. He also served as the treasurer for the Worcester County Ecumenical Council and was a Trustee for the Episcopal Diocese of Western Massachusetts.
Arthur worked for and consulted with Norton Company in Worcester, MA for over 30 years as a cost accountant and government controls accountant. After his Norton Company retirement, he worked for Becker College, and was a volunteer member of the Age Center of Worcester Board of Directors. In 2004 Norton Company (then Saint Gobain) recognized his volunteer contributions with a Volunteer Award.
Arthur had many interests, and thoroughly enjoyed sharing them with his two sons. He could be found creating furniture in his woodworking shop, tending to flowers and vegetables in his garden, building and paddling a canvas kayak, leading family camping trips that explored sites across the northeast US and Canada, and puttering around the cottage at Goose Rocks Beach. He loved New England sports teams (all of them!) and was always happy to discuss their current standings, challenges and successes.
In retirement, he enjoyed Elder Hostel vacations, often aligning trips with visits to his son’s homes in VT and AZ. He hiked and rafted the Grand Canyon, hiked Yosemite, skied in New York and VT, and explored the west coast. A three-week Kenya trip in 2000 was his favorite though, where he went on safaris and saw exotic animals from a hot air balloon!
In 2004 Arthur became a founding member of the Overlook Life Care Community in Charlton MA and was proud to be one of its first residents in 2006. He enjoyed the camaraderie of meeting and visiting with his neighbors and (he added with a wry smile) not having any responsibility whatsoever for the kitchen, or the Overlook’s beautiful grounds that he regularly walked and skied around.
Arthur was born in Reading, MA to George and Harriet Curtis in 1933. He is survived by his two sons and their families, Neil and Amy Curtis and grandson Colin of Shelburne, VT, Paul and Kory Curtis of Wilcox, AZ and grandchildren Ryan, Shaundra, and Stephen, and three great grandchildren. He is also survived by his sister, Elizabeth Adam (an Overlook resident) and a large extended family of cousins, nieces, and nephews. He was predeceased by his parents and brother, Richard Curtis, of Reading MA, and the mother of his children Carolyn Curtis of Marshfield, MA and Phoenix, AZ.
Burial was private at Worcester County Memorial Park in Paxton.
A Memorial Service will be at a later date.
In Lieu of flowers, it is requested that you make a Memorial contribution to a charity of one’s choice.
The ROBERT J. MILLER-CHARLTON FUNERAL HOME, 175 Old Worcester Rd. is honored to be assisting the family with arrangements.
To leave an on line message of condolence, please visit: RJMillerfunerals.net