Curtis Christian Shank Jr.

SHANK, Curtis Christian, Jr., Curtis Christian Shank, Jr., 88, of Wilbraham, MA, formerly of Bristol, died at Renaissance Manor Nursing Home in Holyoke, MA after a long illness. He was born in 1920 to the now-late Curtis Sr. and Elizabeth (Foeller) Shank in Baltimore, MD. He grew up in York, PA and was drafted into the U.S. Army. He served during World War II at Fort Ord and in an anti-aircraft unit in the Aleutian Islands. In 1947, he married Theresa Staub and set up housekeeping in York, PA. They had two children. A printer by trade, he moved his family to Bristol to pursue a better job and worked as a printer for his entire career. He was first pressman upon his retirement from the former Hildreth Press. He was a proud member of the Graphic Communications International Union Local 401 and served as his shop's union steward. He enjoyed snowmobiling and four-wheeling. He was a lifelong member of the High Riders Snowmobile Club of Terryville. Curt is survived by his wife of 61 years, Theresa (Staub) Shank of Wilbraham, MA., their son Curtis Edward Shank and his partner Carol Hunt of Plainville and their daughter Catherine Myszkowski and her husband Fran of Wilbraham, MA. He is also survived by his sister, Helen B. Shank of Terryville; his grandchildren Jennifer Myszkowski of Holyoke, MA., Tesia Myszkowski of Wilbraham, MA., Kirstin (Shank) Rossi of New Hartford and Kaelyn Shank of Wappingers Falls, NY; his great-grandchildren Maya Myszkowski of Wilbraham, MA and Jacob Rossi of New Hartford and a score of nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his brother Francis Shank of Baltimore, MD. He was a communicant of the Church of Saint Matthew, 120 Church Ave. in Forestville where a Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday, January 3, at 10 a.m. There are no calling hours. The O'Brien Funeral Home in Forestville is in charge of arrangements. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that those wishing to do so make a contribution to the charity of their choice in the name of the deceased.www.obrien-funeralhome.com