Alan Curtis

Alan Curtis, 84, of Boca Raton, FL, and Lenox, MA, husband of Brenda Curtis for 57 years, succumbed to injuries February 12, 2016 after being struck by a car while riding his bicycle in Boca Raton, FL. He is survived by his son, Dean Curtis and daughter-in-law Lara Curtis of Longmeadow, MA, and his daughter Sarah Curtis Richmond and son-in-law Will Richmond of Newton, MA, as well as his grandchildren Ethan, Benjamin, Julia, Lianne, Abby, and Eli. His eldest son, Adam Curtis, predeceased him in death in 2013. He was also predeceased by his siblings Helen Etkin and Bernard Surkis. Al was born to Lena Stein and Samuel Surkis in the Bronx in 1931. He graduated from the University of Connecticut in 1953 and served in the army for two years during the Korean War. He and Brenda raised their children in Longmeadow, MA, where they lived for more than fifty years. In 1960, Al founded United Transmission Exchange and in 1962 Dean Transmission Parts. He led his entire life energetically and optimistically and avidly pursued boating, tennis, skiing and hiking. His unique, self-deprecating sense of humor and deep sense of loyalty endeared him to countless friends. In his retirement, Al remained close to his family and intellectually engaged in current events, politics, business, and travel. His generous philanthropic efforts on behalf of numerous Jewish causes and passionate support for Israel were widely admired. He was a past president of the Jewish Federation of Western MA, co-president of Heritage Academy in Longmeadow, trustee of the Jewish Endowment Foundation, and member of the National Young Leadership Division of United Jewish Appeal. Funeral and burial will be in Springfield, MA. Contributions may be made in the name of Alan Curtis to The Hebrew High School of New England, 300 Bloomfield Avenue, West Hartford, CT, 06117, and The Rashi School, 8000 Great Meadow Road, Dedham, MA, 02026. For further information or directions, please visit www.ascherzimmerman.com.