Curtis Karl Edes

Curtis Karl Edes, a.k.a. Curty Cut, born July 18th, 1963 in Newport, RI at 61 passed away after a valiant fight-to-the-death kind of battle with cancer on June 6, 2025, at Newport Hospital with his loving daughter Ashley Edes and her partner by his side.

Curtis was a simple man, but never boring; original—one-of-a-kind to say the least. A Newport mainstay of 242 Broadway, like "stoop kid on his stoop" after a long day at work, holding an ice-cold Budweiser in one hand, rippin’ a Marlboro Light 100 in the other, greeting anyone and everyone that walked by. He made sure to catch your full attention in whatever it was he had to share with you and nothing less.

Curtis loved Newport. And he loved his people. He spent his entire adult life here on the island—living, loving, building, jamming, and talking to just about anyone who crossed his path. "Animated" in his storytelling is an understatement; between those expressive looks on his face, the full-bodied body language/hand-gesturing, he'd share with you his latest DIY project or the most recent, relevant piece of news around town. He was never just an observer—he was a full participant in life.

He lived for DIY projects—he took apart and rebuilt his own computer, he engineered a Stirling Motor, a single-cylinder engine made from a beer can (yes, it worked), pieced together a blowgun out of PVC pipe with a pocket laser pointer sight (actually very accurate), set up and cared for his saltwater aquariums with high precision.

Curtis loved everything flying from air shows, flight simulation games, and flying an RC plane or drone of his own. He loved the ocean from fishing for stripers to becoming a PADI certified diver. He could even be found digging into the ground as a metal detector man searching for lost little treasures. He also loved to skateboard getting all his boards locally from "Sid, the man" at Waterbros. Most of all, he loved jamming on his drums, be it solo or with local musicians like his good friend, Jonny Sage.

He took much pride in his work pointing out all the places and things he's built all over Aquidneck Island, most recently with A-1 Roofing, owned by his boss and "brotha from anotha motha," Sean Napolitano.

Curtis was a kind gentleman who cared deeply for his friends and family. He is survived by his stepfather, Peter Edes, his daughters Ashley Edes and Sarah Haggerty, and his granddaughters (twins), Alexia and Gabriella Steger. He leaves behind many, many close friends and chosen family who shared in his stories, projects, and porch talks over the years.

Major shot out from the family to Sean and all of Curtis's community of friends for all the help you gave when he needed it most and coming together during his final days.

Visiting hours will be held on Wednesday, June 11, from 4:00–7:00 PM at Memorial Funeral Home, 375 Broadway. A Mass of Christian Burial will take place Thursday, June 12 at 10:00 AM at Jesus Saviour Church on Broadway, followed by a reception at the Newport Yacht Club in his honor, then a final toast at Fastnet.

Please keep Curtis and all of your family and friends close to your heart as we are never promised tomorrow.