Gray – Donald Richard Curtis died triumphantly Monday, Aug. 14, with his family.

He was born in Haverill, Mass., on Aug. 19, 1917, son of Charles Richard Curtis and Hattie May Pitman. He attended Salem, Mass. schools and graduated from Springfield College in 1940, and later attended Tufts Medical School. He later attended The U.S. Coast Guard Academy, and was a lieutenant during World War II. After serving, he was employed for 38 years as an insurance underwriter for Mutual Fire Inspection Bureau of New England working Maine and New Hampshire. He retired in 1983.

He married Muriel Hazel Greeley in 1941. They moved to Maine in 1947, residing in Gray. In 1998, he moved to Raymond, where he resided with his son, Greg, and his beloved daughter-in-law, Leona, and their two children, Shawn and Kristi, and their two dogs and two cats, his close companions in recent years.

Don and Muriel enjoyed 52 years of marriage. Their passion for raising gladiolus won the admiration of hundreds of customers for more than 50 years. He was a member of Maine Gladiolus Society serving many positions. His passion and mastery of raising glads won him many Maine and New England awards and championships.

He was a 50-plus year member of Gray Fire Department serving as secretary for most of this time span. He was also a 50-plus year member of Cumberland Lodge No. 12 of Masons in New Gloucester.

He was one of the original founders of Gray Little League in the 1950s along with Jerry Bums. He was a member of the board of directors of School Administrative District 15.

He is survived by his son, Richard Sr. and wife, Donna, of Jackman and their three sons, Charles, Matthew, and Richard Jr. and a great-granddaughter; his daughter, Gail of Alna and her two daughters, Abbe and Emily, and three great-granddaughters; his son Greg and wife, Leona, of Raymond and their son, Shawn and daughter, Kristi.

He was predeceased by his wife Muriel in March 1993.