James C Lovelace Jr.

James Curtis "Curt" Lovelace, a beloved father, grandfather, writer, educator, and world traveler, passed away at his home in Manchester, New Hampshire. He was 80.
Born in 1945 and raised in the tough part of Providence, Rhode Island, Curt joined the United States Navy at 17 years old to have an opportunity to see the world, a quest he maintained throughout his life. He served on the USS Georgetown from 1962 to 1966 as a communications technician, getting his only tattoo to mark when he sailed across the Equator.
Upon his return from active duty, despite never having set foot on a college campus before, Curt decided to continue his education. The tough kid who may have been the first in his family to graduate from high school fell in love with learning and earned four degrees - a degree in education from Southern Connecticut State University, a Master of History from Western Connecticut State University, a Masters in Divinity at Covenant Theological Seminary, and, finally, a Doctorate of Ministry from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary.
He married Sandra Allen in 1968 and the two traveled the world together as a way to experience the diversity and beauty of God's people. Their family began when they were abroad; daughters Jenna and Sunnie were born in Switzerland and Grand Cayman, respectively. Over the course of his life, Curt visited over 51 countries and lived in four, making friends across the globe in countries where he served in various churches and ministries.
After beginning his career as a history and social studies teacher in high school and junior high schools, Curt came to know Christ while at L'Abri Fellowship in Huémoz, Switzerland and later felt a call to ministry. He ministered to Covenant Baptist Church in Acton, ME, Christian Union Church in West Groton, MA, Boatswain Bay Presbyterian Church, Grand Cayman, and Grace Presbyterian Church, Braintree, MA, among others.
Curt wrote extensively and authoritatively on religious matters and advocated for a Biblical understanding of the world around us. His book (written with Sandra) Children in Church: Nurturing Hearts of Worship, offered faithful parents a blueprint to help their kids explore the richness of church services.
In keeping with his facility as a writer, Curt worked as a journalist for over a decade, starting out as a stringer and rising to the role of managing editor of Nashoba Publications, a chain of six weekly newspapers in Massachusetts. He also spent time keeping a watchful eye on the goings on of the Boston State House as a political correspondent.
He was proud of his family, his military service, his career as a pastor in multiple denominations, and his career in journalism. He believed in the preeminence of God's presence in our lives and took his vow to protect and defend the Constitution as one without an expiration date. He was known for his "curt" communication, his love of coffee, fishing, football (particularly the New England Patriots and Navy), and his distaste for "rabbit food."
In the end, Curt was ready to enjoy his time in heaven, free of a body that increasingly let him down. He is survived by his beloved daughters, Jenna Goodell and Sunnie Scarpa; his adored grandchildren, William Baggs, Caroline Baggs, James Baggs, and Luisa Scarpa; his sisters Donna Lovelace and Lynne Lovelace Demetrius, and his former wife Sandra Allen Lovelace. He is predeceased by sister Patricia Lovelace Lamoureux, and joined in heaven by his partner Sharon Arsenault.
Curt felt that a person's life is their work, and that by looking back to what someone produced you see the expression of their worldview. In his case, it all pointed to his belief in the redemptive power of Christ.
"Do your job," Curt wrote on one of his blogs. "This may be preaching, digging ditches, baking cakes, teaching in school - or at home. It may be running a Fortune 500 company or selling hot dogs in the park. The point is that there are no jobs without dignity if they are done to the glory of God."
A private service for immediate family will be held to celebrate Curt's life. In lieu of flowers, the family invites those wishing to honor Curt's memory to make a donation to the VFW, https://heroes.vfw.org/page/175227/donate/
or https://equineimmersionfoundation.org to support other Veterans. May his memory be a blessing. 2 Thessalonians 3:16