John William "Jack" Curtis

CURTIS, John William "Jack" Former Connecticut resident and proud veteran John William "Jack" Curtis died, April 6, 2007 at his home in Boca Raton following a courageous 14 year battle with multiple cancers. We will dearly miss his humor, whit and infectious smile. Jack was born November 25th, 1940 in Staten Island, NY to John Russell and Sallie Curtis. He studied physics at Manhattan College before enlisting in the Air Force. Jack met his wife Barbara and eloped in February of 1962. After his service in the military, Jack pursued his passion in the culinary arts, receiving a degree in hospitality management from Cornell University. He went on to open several restaurants over the years. As a member of the Club Managers Association of America, his career expanded in a move to Berlin, CT where he ran the New Haven Lawn Club, Indian Hill and Shuttle Meadow Country Clubs. From there, Jack opened Willy J's in Old Saybrook, a massive 600-seat restaurant/club overlooking a marina on the Connecticut River. Years later, he took over The Beckley Garden Inn in Berlin and started a very successful dinner theater there while opening the Fish n' Bull as well. Despite owning multiple businesses, he made time for his family a priority, taking them on yearly trips to Florida and Puerto Rico. Later in life, Jack made the move to Florida to open a fine dining establishment in Boca Raton. In his final career he capitalized on a culmination of over 40 years of diverse business experience, conducting business sales for Transworld Business Brokers. "Big" Jack is survived by his best friend and loving wife of 45 years, Barbara; his devoted daughter and son-in-law, Donna and Barry Goodwill; three beautiful grandchildren, Jacquelyn, Haley and Sierra Goodwill; his eternally grateful sons, John and Michael Curtis and his brothers Thomas and Daniel Curtis and their families. Mr. Curtis was predeceased by his beloved daughter Laurie, brother Edward Curtis and sister Patricia Croitz. A Celebration of Life Service will be held on Saturday, April 28th at 11a.m. at the Marlborough Congregational Church – 35 S. Main St. in Marlborough, CT 860-295-9050. In lieu of flowers, Jack always said he would appreciate donations being made in memoriam to the Disabled Veteran Americans Fund: www.dav.org or Hospice by the Sea in Boca Raton, FL.