Thomas E. Curtis

COLONIE – Thomas E. Curtis, 83, passed away on Friday, November 20, 2009 at St. Peter's Hospital, surrounded by his loving family.
Tom was born on February 16, 1926 in Indianapolis, IN and was the son of the late Richard Allen and Carrie May (Shaw) Curtis. He served in the US Army during WWII.
Tom was a professor in the Curriculum and Instruction Department at the State University of New York at Albany, having been there from 1963 to 1990. Before that he taught music in the public schools of Illinois and Iowa for fourteen years. During his university career he was closely associated with middle school education and with the humanities, in the development of curriculum, in the teaching of humanities for gifted children, and in the directorship of in-service workshops for both administrators and teachers.
His doctor of philosophy degree was earned in 1963 at Southern Illinois University. Prior to that time he received his masters of arts degree in music education from the State College of Iowa and a bachelor's degree from Butler University. His formal education also was strongly related to the humanities with professional singing and community and church choral directing in his background.
Tom is survived by his loving wife of 61 years, Betty (Wales) Curtis; his son, Donald Patrick of Fairfax, VA; his grandson, Kevin P. (Laurel) O'Connor of Fairfax, VA; his great-granddaughter, Claire O'Connor; his sister-in-law, Phyllis Curtis of Indianapolis, IN; his nephews, Terry (Gayle) Curtis, Ricky Curtis, Ray Thomas Foreman and William James R. (Charlotte) Foreman; his nieces, Cecilia Mills, Janet (Chris) Stafford and Linda Lou Bryant and his great niece, Gena Marie (Evan) Tyler. He was predeceased by his son, Michael A. Curtis and by his brothers, George, Cecil, and Floyd Curtis.
A funeral service will be held at 2:00 p.m. Sunday, November 29, 2009 at First Presbyterian Church, 362 State St., Albany. A calling hour will precede the service from 1:00 to 2:00 p.m. in the Rose Room at the church. Interment with a graveside service and military honors will be held at 11:00 a.m. Monday, November 30, 2009 at Memory's Garden in Colonie. All are welcomed and may meet at the entrance prior to 11:00 a.m.
Memorial contributions may be made to First Presbyterian Church, Albany or to the American Red Cross in memory of Thomas E. Curtis.