REGINALD GORDON CURTIS

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REGINALD GORDON CURTIS Reginald Gordon Curtis was born August 30, 1920 in Winnipeg and on May 2, 2013 he peacefully took his last breath and bid us all a fond farewell. He was predeceased by his father Walter Sydney Curtis (1948), his mother Emily Louisa (Shelvey) Curtis (1964), his sisters, Eva Blaquiere (1998) and Ellen McCurdy (1976), brothers, Sydney J. Curtis (1967), Ernest Curtis (1926), Lawrence Ernest Curtis (1970) and Jack Curtis (2012); his brothers-in-law Robert McCurdy (1976) and Babe Blaquiere (1997), and sister-in-law Gladys (Constable) Curtis (2004). He is survived by his nephews Philip Blaquiere (Cheryl), Lawrence Curtis (Pamela), his niece Barbara Curtis Bell (Rod); great-nieces Christina Blaquiere, Laura Blaquiere, and Lisa-Marie (Bell) Spradbrow and her daughter Jordan Marie, great-nephew Ryan Curtis (Jen) and their children Alexis and Taylor, and great-nephew Eric Curtis. "Uncle" Reg will be greatly missed by Harold and Margaret Gillespie, Heather and Norbert Klatt, Christine and Cameron Campbell and their children Cameron Junior and Nicole, Adrienne Laramee and her partner Jordan Ingram, Doug and Donna Harding and their children Scott and Lisa. Also left to mourn the passing of a beloved friend, Chuck and Leanne Arnason. Reg was born in Winnipeg and spent his early years in Norwood and surrounding area growing up in a busy, happy family. He family nickname "Didge" was given to him by his father. He joined the Canadian Army on February 5, 1942 and was placed on active duty Christmas Eve of 1942. He spent most of the war in the United Kingdom and Continental Europe, received the Canadian Volunteer Service Medal and Clasp, and after sustaining an injury was discharged July 30, 1945. Reg was proud of his service to his country and how he could march all day long. He was the perfect foot soldier. He worked at different places including Shore Glass for awhile but his most important job and the one that gave him the greatest sense of pride and fulfillment was his "raising" of Heather, Christine and Adrienne. He was up early every morning to arrive at their home to make their breakfast and help get them ready for school. Picnics, car rides, afternoons spent playing at the park were a large part of their childhood. The Assiniboine Zoo was always a special place to go to walk around and enjoy the animals - always learning and growing under his tutelage. He taught them carpentry, well, how to pound one nail at a time, and shared his love of music. They developed a strong "Mutual Admiration Society" amongst the four of them. He built an incredible playhouse that was safe and large enough to even have sleepovers in. He had his rules but his love for them was so very apparent and they were able to grow in a safe and loving environment. Later in life he would look forward to their visits and phone calls and always refer to them as "My girls" and then add "I raised them you know" with a big grin on his face. He was their babysitter, teacher and most of all a beloved Uncle. Their memories of the precious times they spent with him will be held very dear and sustain them as they move forward with their lives. He had a special affection for children, always interested in their growth and development and they in turn responded to his sense of fun and charm right up until his last days. Reg was happiest when there was order. He liked his environment to be clean, neat and tidy. He loved to cook, was very proud of his liver and onions and roast beef with Yorkshire pudding. He was a prolific carpenter. He would build furniture, wishing wells and doghouses with removable roofs so they could be kept clean. He renovated and painted to keep things ship-shape. He also enjoyed being out in his boat fishing with his friends and their children. He was early to rise and could be found at Tim Hortons at the Grant Park Mall setting out the tables and chairs and helping the staff get ready for the day's customers. He and his cronies would then have their morning coffee and enjoy each others company. It is unnecessary to remind anyone who knew him of the injunction to not speak ill of the dead. The thought will simply not occur. He was a lovely man. The epitome of a gentleman. Kind and generous, caring and fun. May his soul rest in the highest of heavens. A sincere thank-you to the staff of St. Boniface Hospital Emergency and Urology departments. Your care for Reg was exemplary and your professionalism along with your kindness made the difficult days a little easier. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to Assiniboine Park Zoo, 204-927-8080 or online at donations@assiniboinepark.ca A Celebration of Reg's life will be held on Monday, May 6, 2013, 1:00 p.m., at Neil Bardal Funeral Centre, 3030 Notre Dame Avenue (across from Brookside Cemetery). Interment at Brookside Cemetery. NEIL BARDAL FUNERAL CENTRE 204-949-2200 neilbardalinc.com

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on May 04, 2013