Curtis J. Bailey

Curtis J. Bailey

Curtis J. Bailey, a cornerstone of the New Ringgold community and a respected businessman, passed away peacefully at home on Jan. 8, 2026, at the age of 93. He was surrounded by the love of his life and wife of 74 years, Dorothy K. (Bendrick) Bailey.

Born on Thursday, April 7, 1932 in West Penn Township, he was a son of the late Milton N. and Mabel (Miller) Bailey.

Curtis was a man defined by hard work and craftsmanship. A 1949 graduate of Tamaqua High School, he began his career as a mason before founding Curtis J. Bailey Builders in 1961.

Over the decades, he transformed the landscape of Northeast Pennsylvania, earning a reputation for excellence in home building and land development. Curtis also owned Bailey Building Supplies in West Penn Township. In his youth, Curtis would butcher on his family's farm.

Beyond his professional success, Curtis was a tireless servant to his community. A lifelong member of the West Penn Lions Club, he was a Melvin Jones awardee and a club past president, and also served as District Governor and Zone Chairman for District 14-U.

A member of the Tamaqua Salvation Army Board of Directors, Curtis was chairman of the advisory board and building committee.

He was a member of the former Home Savings and Loan Board of Directors of Tamaqua, an associate director for the Pennsylvania National Bank and a member of the Pennsylvania Builders Association for Schuylkill and Carbon County.

Curtis was a board member of T.I.D.E. and belonged to the West Penn Fire Co. and the Andreas Sportsman Club. An avid outdoorsman, he enjoyed watching the Phillies and Fox News, which was a constant. Curtis was a recipient of the Tamaqua Citizen of the Year Award.

Surviving in addition to his widow are a son, Kevin A. Bailey, and his wife, Karen; a daughter, Bonnie Steinbrunn; five grandchildren, Kevin Bailey, and his wife, Nicole, Kelly, wife of Jonathan Sears, Matthew Bailey, and his wife, Danelle, Jason Steinbrunn and Lauren Steinbrunn; seven great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.

He was also predeceased by a son, Curtis D. Bailey; sisters, Helen Wertman, Rachel Evertt and Bertha Bennick; and brothers, William, Herman, Robert, James and Clarence Bailey.

Services: Private funeral arrangements are entrusted to the Robert S. Nester Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 2066 W. Penn Pike, New Ringgold. Interment will be in Sky-View Memorial Park, Hometown. Memorials in his name may be made to the Lehigh Valley Hospice Office of Philanthropy, P.O. Box 1883 Allentown, PA 18105-1883. Online condolences or a fond memory of Curtis can be expressed by visiting www.griffithsfuneralhomes.com.