Curtis L. Blau

It is with the most profound sorrow that we announce the passing of Curtis L. Blau on December 19, 2025. Son of the late Herbert and Sylvia (Gubersky) Blau, Curtis was born in New Britain on September 30, 1946. Curtis was a bright, joyful light to all who knew him. When he entered a room, you definitely knew he was there.
Curtis was a man of many talents. Roller skating became one of them. He started skating at the Bowl-O-Rink in New Britain. At age 14, he went to Fort Worth, Texas to compete against 27 other boys and won the National Junior Boys Figure Skating Championship. He was Connecticut's first national roller skating champion in 22 years. Curtis continued to be successful in the regional and national level. He earned his RSA Gold Medal in all three disciplines, figures, singles and dance. In 1967, he and his partner Sylvia Haffke won the National Free Dance and appeared on Wild World of Sports hosted by Kurt Schenkel. In 2023, he was inducted into the Babiec N.E. Region Hall of Fame for dedication to the sport of roller skating.
He graduated in 1964 from Pulaski High and then Central CT State College. He went on to have successful careers at Aetna for 30 years and Stanley Works in the field of Human Resources, retiring as Manager of HRIS.
While at Aetna, he met his wife, Nancy at the soda machine saying: "the guys in his department wanted to know how old I was?" Imagine! Married for 51 years, together they enjoyed many cruises, trips to NYC for Broadway shows, Goodspeed, visiting family and friends; backyard pool parties, holiday parties, and endless summer trips to Maine. They became avid fans of New England Doo Wop Society and attended many, many shows. Starting at the YMCA in New Britain, They took ballroom dance lessons and rose to championship level. In 1986, they became National Amateur 10 dance champions at the Fontainebleau in Miami, Florida.
Curtis was an avid golfer, "loved" the casino and volunteering at the Jerome Home in New Britain, CT. His mission there was to leave staff and, particularly the residents, with a smile on their face. They adored him. He loved working with the elderly making ice cream sundaes for them, or singing "Hey Babe Hey" from the 1940's. In 2023, He was awarded the Leading Edge Volunteer of the Year for his dedication at Jerome Home.
We are grateful to God for a full and beautiful life together. In spite of being diagnosed with ALS in 2024 he woke up every day with a smile on his face and two thumbs up. He was the life of every party, enjoyed being the center of attention and was a devoted husband, brother, friend, and son, taking care of his uncle, grandfather, mother and #1 mother-in-law.
He leaves to mourn, his brother Jeff Blau, brothers-in-law John Noreika and Robert Noreika (Chris), and sister-in-law Sue Zielinski (Dan). His nieces and nephews: Dori, Aaron, Melissa, Jordan Kimmie (Nik), Sarah (Steve), Brian (Jessica), Amanda (Jason), Ryan (Sarah), Matt (Steph), Allison (Cory), Jolene (Chris), many cousins and best friends Denise and Dave Govoni.
He was predeceased by his brother Alan Blau and nephew Stephen Noreika.
God rest your beautiful soul my precious husband it was a great journey. You will be the beautiful sunrises, the full moon at night, the sunlight on the ocean and the eagle that rests in our neighborhood tree in the winter. Love you forever.
Curtis's funeral services will be private with the Duksa Family Funeral Home at Newington Memorial, 20 Bonair Ave., Newington.
Memorial donations may be made to the Duke ALS Clinic, Kyle Verber, Director of Development, Duke Health Development and Alumni Affairs, 300 W Morgan St., Suite 1000, Durham NC 27701 or the ALS Society, 4 Oxford Rd., Suite E4, Milford, CT 06460.