John Louville Curtis Sr.
- abbeycremation
- Apr 8
- 3 min read
John Louville Curtis Sr. of Hartford, Connecticut, passed away peacefully at home on April 5th 2025 at the age of 84 with his devoted wife Jean, of 59 years by his side. He was a former resident of Fairfield, CT and Raymond, Me. Born to the late George Hartley and Violet Morrison Curtis on May 9, 1940, in Damariscotta, Maine, John lived a life dedicated to education, athletics, and family.
A graduate of the University of Bridgeport Arnold College School of Physical Education with a B.S. degree. He first taught at Milford Academy, where he served as a dormitory prefect and athletic trainer. John then devoted 40 years to Fairfield Country Day School in Fairfield, CT as the Director of Athletics, coach, and educator. He was a driving force behind the school’s ice rink being built. He spent winters tirelessly teaching children to skate and play hockey while personally maintaining the rink’s condition. John’s passion for ice sports was recognized with his induction into the Zamboni Hall of Fame, a testament to his dedication to rink management and the joy he brought to generations of young skaters. Upon John’s retirement, he was honored by Fairfield Country Day School when they created a new athletic field and named it Curtis Field.
His athletic leadership extended to the Fairchester League, where he served on the board, and the Connecticut Association of Independent Schools Athletics, where he served as the president and vice president. He truly helped shape youth sports in the state of Connecticut.
Following in his father’s footsteps, he was devoted to Camp Pinehurst. He was there when his mother and father started Camp Pinehurst (then called Camp Hayloft) in 1946. Believing in the value of the summer camp experience, he and his wife, Jean, built the camp up to be a thriving success. Countless children from all over the globe built lasting memories having had a fantastic summer camp experience at Camp Pinehurst. He was a member of both the American Camping Association and Maine Summer Camps. He shaped the lives of so many children by teaching them the core standards of camping: teamwork, sportsmanship, and outdoor adventure.
He was a member of the Greenfield Hill Congregational Church in Fairfield, CT where he served on the board of Christian Education, helped run the Junior Youth Pilgrim Fellowship, and volunteered time at the Dogwood Festival each year. Upon retiring, he returned to Maine and joined the Casco Village Church, where his parents and grandparents had been members.
John married the love of his life, Jean Whittaker, on June 5, 1965. Together, they built a strong and loving family. He was a proud and devoted father to his three children: John "Jack" L. Curtis Jr. and his wife, Elizabeth, of Nashua, NH, and their daughters, Kathryn Curtis Green and husband, Matthew, and Mariah Curtis, Jill Curtis Sartori and her husband, Marco, of Wethersfield, CT, and her sons Michael Wedick and Charles Wedick, and Jennifer Curtis Kennedy and her husband, Bob, of Coventry, CT, and their children Caroline Kennedy, Bridgid Kennedy, and Bobby Kennedy.
In addition, he is survived by his siblings: Diane Simpson of Monroe, CT, Frank Curtis and his wife, Donna, of Raymond, ME, Jane Slaiby and husband, Samuel, of Torrington, CT, and Nancy St. Marie and husband, Michael, of St. Augustine, FL, and numerous cousins, nieces, nephews, and their children.
John was also predeceased by his grandson Colin Curtis, brother in law E. Raymond Simpson and nephew George Curtis Simpson.
The family expresses gratitude to Avery Heights and Hartford Healthcare Home Hospice. They are also grateful for the wonderful care and support received from their HomeAides caregivers.
John Louville Curtis Sr. will be remembered for his boundless enthusiasm for life. His legacy of sportsmanship, mentorship, and unwavering love for his family will live on in the hearts of all who knew him.
Please join us to celebrate his life. A memorial service will be held on Saturday April 12, 2025 at 10:00am at Greenfield Hill Congregational Church 1045 Old Academy Road Fairfield, CT. A reception will follow at Fairfield Country Day School 2970 Bronson Road, Fairfield, CT. If desired, tax deductible donations may be made in his memory to the Curtis Summer Camp Fund by following this link http://bit.ly/3FXx7SV or mailing a check to Curtis Summer Camp Fund, Inc. c/o Atty. Rob Russo, 10 Sasco Hill Road, Fairfield, CT 06284.
When I think back to my nine years at FCDS, we had different teachers each year but Mr. Curtis was a part of our day every year. He was a consummate professional who successfully connected with every student at FCDS. He always encouraged and challenged us to do better in a respectful way and always with a little humor. A true gentleman. - Michael Licamele - 1980
My sincere condolences Jean.
Our thoughts are with you, your family, extended family and friends of John.
I feel very privileged to have known John, he was as much of a guidance and purveyor of wisdom as my own father was to me.
You both gave me an opportunity to come to Camp Pinehurst all those years ago and became part of one of a wonderful family.
Each summer you both welcomed me and I will always cherish those times.
John was a true gentleman, he was tough at times but fair, had an amazing ability as a person, teacher, leader and coach to recognise, nurture and bring out the best in everyone.
John has always worn many hats and…
Mr. Curtis was a truly kind and fair man who cared deeply about every student and treated us all equally. As an Italian American attending FCDS in the 1970s—when many of us felt out of place in a predominantly Episcopalian environment—I was especially touched by his open-mindedness and respect. He remained a steady, moral, and ethically upstanding individual who demonstrated his values not by preaching, but by living them through his actions.
In his role at the school—particularly in athletics—he stood out as one of the finest faculty members. Although he could be strict when needed, he was always fair and reasonable. We will miss his unwavering kindness, his devotion to the students, and his commitment to a sense of…
Mr. Curtis ("Sir" in FCDS parlance) had a profound impact on my life as a young athlete at Country Day. He was an exemplar of all he preached and served as a role model to each of us. Of all the instructors I was lucky enough to have at FCDS, he stands out through the years.
Requiescat in Pace, Sir.
Love John and Jean ,when I lost my job,John had odd jobs that helped immensely . He has had jobs throughout the years he asked if I would do and I did them gladly. During the summer he would stop two or three times a week for just a little while to ask questions and tell me some of his funny stories. I sure do miss them. My condolences to the family.