Obituary: Robert E. Curtis, 84, Former Danvers Town Manager

Obituary from the C.R. Lyons & Sons, Funeral Directors:

Robert E. Curtis, 84, passed away on April 5, 2014, surrounded by his family in the Kaplan Family Hospice House. He was the loving husband of the late Margaret “Jane” (King) Curtis, with whom he shared 54 years of marriage.

Born in Portland, Maine on Feb. 11, 1930, he was the son of the late Fred and Cecile (Ryan) Curtis. Robert graduated from Yarmouth High School, Dartmouth College and University of Pennsylvania, Wharton Business School. Robert served his country with the United States Army during the Korean War and was honorably discharged.

He was the past Town Manager of Danvers for 17 years. Prior to Danvers, he also served as the Town Manager of Houlton, Maine, and Ipswich, Mass. He was the Executive Director of the North Shore Economic Counsel.

Robert was employed with the Mass. Municipal Assoc., Curtis Consulting Group, was a Professor at Salem State College, and managed his family business Curtis Pine Grove for 20 years, all before retiring at the age of 80. During his leisure time, he enjoyed sailing, music and golf.

He is survived by his eight adoring children, John Curtis, Fred and Anne Curtis, Robert Curtis, Jr. and Thomas Jones, Linda and Tom Gikas, Greg Curtis, Dan and Nancy Curtis, Susan and Alan Tilton, Lisa and Jeff Soderholm; his 14 grandchildren, Courtney, Erica, Jordan, Allie, Jack, Cristen and Ron Flynn, Nick, Danny, Bobby, Eric, Jared, Joshua, Lauren, and Kellie; three great-grandchildren, Lily, Reghan, and Thomas and his honorary brother, Jack Coughlin.

His Funeral Service will be celebrated at 11 a.m. on Saturday, April 12, 2014 in Holy Trinity Church, 16 Sylvan St., Danvers. Visiting hours are Friday from 4-8 p.m. at C.R. Lyons & Sons, Funeral Directors, 28 Elm St., Danvers. Burial will be held privately.

In lieu of flowers, expressions of sympathy may be made in Robert’s name to the American Parkinson Disease Assoc., 72 E. Concord St, Boston, MA, 02118.