Arthur "Art" Lester Curtis

April 30, 1933 - March 1, 2021

Arthur “Art” Lester Curtis, 87, of Clayton, passed from this life on Monday, March 1, 2021, while surrounded by his loving family. He was born on April 30, 1933 in Burlington, Vermont, to the late Lester Arthur and Isabelle Bella (McGreevy) Curtis. Attending school in Vermont, it was there he met his future wife, Polly. The happy couple were joyously united in marriage on January 10, 1953. Art proudly enlisted in the United States Navy from 1952 to 1955, serving in the Korean War on the US Franklin D. Roosevelt. After being honorably discharged, Art joined the Burlington Fire Department, serving as Deputy Chief for 32 years, retiring at 55. Throughout the years, the family frequently took vacations, visiting State Parks, and enjoying the serene beach life of places like Chincoteague, Virginia. A good father, Art often took his children to work with him, where they would get a sneak peek into the busy life of a firefighter. In the summers, Art and Polly cheered their sons on from the stands while they played baseball, along with hosting backyard barbeques by the pool for friends and family. Later in life, Art and Polly left Vermont for the tropical breezes of Florida, before settling into the rural life of Indiana for the remainder of their golden years. Along with his family, Art’s passions included playing Bingo, watching and attending Nascar, Formula One, and the Indy 500. Social by nature, he loved to make people laugh, and could talk to anyone. He will be deeply missed by all who knew him. Along with his parents, he was preceded in death by his sister, Corrine (Curtis) LeBlanc. Art is survived by his loving and devoted wife of 68 years, Irene P. “Polly” (Stuart) Curtis of Clayton; children, Gary Curtis (Karen Kehrein), Karen Plooster (John) all of Clayton, and David Curtis (Chris Monahan) of Vermont; grandchildren, Jason Snow (Diana), Jennifer Snow (Jerome Sanders), Nathan Snow, Jacob Snow, Kelsey Grafal, and Alexia Coleman, all of Florida, and Dustin Curtis of Avon; great grandchildren, Nova and Caleb Bradley of Florida; along with cousins, Diann (LeBlanc) Varricchione, Lynn LeBlanc, Jay LeBlanc, all of Vermont, and Chris LeBlanc of Arizona. Cremation and Funeral Arrangements were entrusted to Light Memorial & Funeral Chapel in Monrovia. A Graveside Service with entombment of ashes, along with military conducting honors is scheduled to begin promptly at 1:00 pm, on Saturday, April 24, 2021, in Clayton Cemetery, where everyone may dress casual and gather at the cemetery to pay respects and closure. To share a favorite story, send an online condolence to the family, or light a candle in his memory search Facebook for Light Memorial & Funeral Chapel @MonroviaFuneralHome or visit his tribute page at www.lightmemorial.com.