LACONIA, N.H. – Raymond Wilson Curtis Jr., 87, of South Chatham, N.H., died Nov. 1, at Lakes Region General Hospital, after a brief illness.

He was born in Saugus, Mass., on Sept. 29, 1920, a son of Raymond Wilson and Louise Shaw Curtis. He was educated in the Marblehead, Massachusetts public school system. Upon graduation from high school, he attended the University of Maine and graduated from Boston University with a degree in business administration.

After graduating from college, he joined the U.S. Navy and served four years in the South Pacific Theater as a first lieutenant. He was a long-time member of the Masons in Marblehead, Mass.

In 1948, he married Jean Olfene of Auburn. He owned and operated Curtis Ford Sales in Middleboro, Mass., for 10 years. After moving to Maine, he worked for the Department of Economic Development, until his retirement in 1981.

As an active member in the community he served as treasure of the South Chatham Cemetery Association, he belonged to the Fryeburg and South Chatham Historical societies and he worked at the Fryeburg Fair Racing Department for 26 years.

He could be found golfing at Kezar Lake Country Club, skiing at Pleasant Mountain, hunting with friends or playing bridge at the legion hall in Fryeburg.

He is survived by his wife of 59 years, Jean Olfene Curtis of South Chatham, N.H.; his son and daughter-in-law, Stephen and Catherine Curtis of Winthrop; his daughter and son-in-law, Sarah Shaw Curtis and Dr. Alan Awrich of Gilford, N.H.; a granddaughter, Stephanie Jean Curtis of Winthrop; a sister, Marjorie and her husband, George Cole, of Hommassa, Fla.; and several nieces, nephews and cousins.

He will be sorely missed by his family and friends.