Nevius Minot Curtis

On the morning of August 23, 2022, Nevius Nev Minot Curtis passed away at home in Michigan at the age of 93. Nev was born on August 16th, 1929, the second son of Janet and Fred Curtis. He was raised in Granby, Massachusetts with his brother and two sisters, and attended Haverford College where he studied Economics. He served in the Navy Reserves during the Korean War on a destroyer. After, he acquired his Masters of Business Accounting (MBA) in Finance from Stanford.
After completing his MBA, Nev began his career in the utility industry working for the California-Oregon Power Company in 1956. In 1958 he moved east to join Holyoke Water Power Company before working for the Central Maine Power Company in 1965 where he eventually earned the title of Senior Vice President. Two years later, he moved to Detroit and served as a Vice President at Detroit Edison. Following which, he moved back east to work for Delmarva Power and Light Co where he became the President, Chairman of the Board and CEO. During his time as CEO, he also served on the Philadelphia Federal Reserve Board, and was Chairman of the Board for a year.
Nev met his beloved wife Muriel in California and they were married in 1957. Together they had their son Jeffrey and daughter Janet in Holyoke, MA. As a family they moved across the country for Nev s career. As part of home decoration, Nev wallpapered over two dozen rooms across the various moves. As a couple, Nev and Muriel enjoyed traveling including numerous trips to Europe, playing games, and great conversations over dinners with friends. After 46 years of marriage, Muriel passed in 2003.
Nev also enjoyed spending time with his children and grandkids. Later in retirement he met his life partner Shay Pendray and retook up horseback riding. They enjoyed many great trips out west to dude ranches and continued to ride until his 88th birthday. Nev and Shay were together for a total of 19 years.
Nev had a wonderful personality which included fantastic listening skills and providing words of wisdom to others. He loved spending time with friends and family, gardening, and rug hooking. In addition, he was an avid reader and great conversationalist. His warm, unique, perseverant and gentle spirit will be missed by many.
Nev is survived by his sister Phoebe Reynolds; grandchildren Stephen Curtis (Susan), Alicia Barber (Blake), Sam Clark, and Benjamin Clark; and life partner Shay Pendray and many extended family members. Preceded in death by his wife, Muriel, son, Jeffrey, daughter, Janet Curtis Clark, brother, Mike, and sister, Anne Wood.
Family will receive friends Friday, August 26, 2022, 5:00-7:00pm at A.J. Desmond & Sons, 32515 Woodward (between 13-14 Mile), Royal Oak, MI.
Funeral service will be Saturday, August 27, 2022, at 11:00am at A.J. Desmond & Sons. Reception following service at family s home, address details will be given at service.
In lieu of flowers, family suggests a donation to Tunnel To Towers or the Wounded Warrior Project.