Burpee, Carpenter & Hutchins Funeral Home

ROCKLAND – Douglas W. Curtis, Sr., U.S. Navy LCDR, Ret., 87, died Monday, March 9, 2015, at Windward Gardens in Camden, following a period of declining health.
Born in Rockland, March 17, 1927, he was the son of Ervin L. and Hazel Wellman Curtis. Educated in local schools he was a 1945 graduate of Rockland High School.
Mr. Curtis went on to graduate from Maine Maritime Academy in 1947 and completed studies earning a business degree from Husson Business College in 1950.
While home on leave from the U.S. Navy, on June 21, 1953, Mr. Curtis married high school classmate, Pauline Stevens, at St. Peters Episcopal Church. The couple made their home in Rockland where they raised their family of three sons and a daughter.
His work experience began in 1943 at Snow’s Shipyard, where he worked during school vacation, assisting in the re-construction of buildings lost in the 1942 fire. He later worked ten years in his father’s business, Ervin L. Curtis, General Contractor. For 35 years, with his wife Pauline, he co-owned Curtis Food Center, a family grocery store on South Main Street in Rockland, and for more than 30 years, he owned and managed several commercial and residential properties in Rockland.
Having served active duty with the U.S. Navy during the Korean War, he continued as a Reservist, serving more than 23 years. He also served 16 years as a Merchant Marine Officer, with 13 consecutive months in 1991, during the First Persian Gulf War.
As well as being a devoted husband, father and grandfather, Mr. Curtis has long been active in his community. He was a 50+ year member of the Winslow-Holbrook-Merritt American Legion Post No. 1, Rockland and in association with that was a member of the Forty and Eight. For six years he served on the SAD #5 School Board and many years as a Board Member of the Region 8 Midcoast School of Technology. For more than 40 years, he was a member of the Rockland Port District and a life member of the Reserve Officers Association. From 1974 to 1975 he served in the Maine House of Representatives.
Besides his parents, Mr. Curtis was pre-deceased by his beloved wife Pauline in 1999; his sister Dorothy L. Dowling in 1994; and one aunt Leola Wellman. He is survived by three sons, Douglas W. Curtis, Jr. and his wife Ferolyn of Rockland, Gregory S. Curtis of Virginia Beach, VA, Ervin L. Curtis and his wife Christine of South Thomaston; one daughter Georgia S. Curtis and her partner Doug Millar of Brockton, MA; nine grandchildren, Matthew P. Curtis and his wife Rachel of Anaheim, CA, Andrea Curtis of Rockland, Michael Curtis and his wife Lisa of Owls Head, Dianalyn McGraw, Charisse Curtis, Christopher Curtis all of Virginia Beach, VA, Paul Curtis of Brockton, MA, Daniel Curtis and his wife Jinhee, Caroline Curtis all of South Thomaston; six great-grandchildren, Riley, Wills, Chase, Knox, Caiya, Ceanna; one sister-in-law Georgia A. Tasho of Brockton, MA; a niece, Mary Dowling, her fiancé William Gifford of Camden, Mary’s children Molly and Jennie Pietroski, a nephew, James ‘Jamie’ Dowling and his companion Karen Kelley of Rockland.
Friends and relatives are invited to visit from 4:00 to 7:00 P.M., Monday, March 16, 2015, at Burpee, Carpenter & Hutchins Funeral Home, 110 Limerock St., Rockland. A Eucharistic Celebration will be held at 11:00 A.M., Tuesday, March 17, 2015, at St. Peters Episcopal Church, 11 White Street, Rockland. The Reverend Lael Sorensen, will officiate. Spring interment will be in Sea View Cemetery, Rockland.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to St. Peters Episcopal Church, 11 White Street, Rockland, ME 04841; Rockland District Nursing Association, P.O. Box 1713, Rockland, ME 04841 or Winslow – Holbrook – Merritt American Legion Post No. 1, P.O. Box 582, Rockland, ME 04841.
To share a memory or condolence with the Mr. Curtis’ family, please visit his Book of Memories at www.bchfh.com.

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