William Dudley Curtis

SOUTH THOMASTON – William ‘Bill’ Curtis, 71, passed away unexpectedly at his home, Tuesday, September 22, 2020. Bill was born on January 14, 1949 in Rockland.

Bill was predeceased by his parents, Charles and Alice Curtis; his son Marcus Curtis; and grandson, Matthew Curtis. He is survived by his wife of 49 years, Laura Curtis of South Thomaston; his daughters, Cathy Curtis of South Thomaston, Karen Curtis and her husband Lee Bisson of Pittsfield; his son Christopher Curtis and his wife Jenn Curtis of Waterville; his grandchildren, Cassandra Ellen Curtis and significant other Trenton Stewart of Rockland, Thomas Curtis of South Thomaston, Sam Curtis of Rockland, Owen Curtis of Rockland, Joseph Curtis of Pittsfield, Benji Curtis of Waterville; his sister, Linda Curtis Brawn; and his nephews Chuck and Mike Brawn, Andrew Parker and Seth Batty.

Bill received his undergraduate degree at the University of Maine at Orono in 1972. He then became a teacher at Camden Rockport High School where he taught Latin until 2011. In March of 2001, Bill received the Matthew I. Wiencke Teaching Award from The American Classical Association of New England. In 2005, he received the Sift Moore Teaching Award from Amherst College. He ran the Latin Club at CRHS and they often placed in the top three teams at Certamen Festivals around the state. He also took eight groups of Latin students on tours of Italy. He was thrilled to be able to take Cassie with him on his final trip. He also taught an adult education Latin class.

Bill coached freshman basketball at Camden Rockport, softball and baseball at Camden Rockport High School, Mary E Taylor School, Oceanside High School, Georges Valley Babe Ruth and Rockland Little League. He was also a referee and umpire locally and kept the clock at CRHS/CHS for 47 years.

He was known for his love of watching his children and grandchildren’s extracurricular activities. He particularly enjoyed watching Thomas and Joey place baseball and Cassie play softball. He was always seen tracking statistics for Joey in score books that he kept from the sidelines.

Bill was also an avid lobsterman from the time he was six. He recently sold his boat and retired from the industry. He spent his winters and evenings reading and writing various games. He had Latin game books published through American Classical League and Teachers Pay Teachers.

Bill’s family was everything to him and they often gathered for meals and games he created such as Blockbuster, Jeopardy and Cryptoquip. Family friends would often join in on these and enjoy the competitive spirit that runs through all the Curtis family.

Bill also had two dogs that he loved unconditionally. He adopted Sam, an 8 year old lab who lived for 4 years. Two years ago he adopted Belle, who became his sidekick. Unless he was on the boat or at a ballgame, he was rarely seen without her.

At Bill’s request, no services will be held. In the spring the family will be hosting a Memorial Softball tournament to raise money for the William Curtis Athletic Scholarship Fund. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the William Curtis Athletic Scholarship Fund, Machias Savings Bank, 3 Glen Street, Rockland, ME 04841. These scholarships will be awarded to one athlete from Oceanside High School and one athlete from Camden Hills Regional High School with financial need and the desire to go on to trade school and/or college.

Arrangements are in the care of Burpee, Carpenter & Hutchins Funeral Home, 110 Limerock Street, Rockland