Former Oxford Village President Marvin William Curtis passed away Easter Sunday, April 20, 2003, which was also his birthday. He was 73.
Curtis, who resided in Waterford at the time of his passing but lived in Oxford on and off during his life, served on council from 1975-1978. He served as village president from 1976-1977.
‘He really contributed a lot (to council),? recalled former village Councilman and President Joe Bullen. ‘He was good at sounding out different issues.?
‘He was very active in the community. A very community-minded person,? he added. ‘He wanted to serve and help people.?
When Curtis, who formerly resided on Hudson St., ran for council in 1975, he told the Leader that his main goals were to ensure tax dollars were spent in a ‘more effective, efficient manner? and to clean up the village’s ‘shabby? appearance, making it a ‘better place to live in and work in.?
Bullen described Curtis as ‘very honest? and a ‘team player.? ‘There was nothing adversarial about him,? he said. ‘He seemed to conduct himself well.?
When he wasn’t serving Oxford, Curtis was filling young minds with knowledge as a teacher of 30 years. A majority of those years were spent at Webber Elementary School in Orion Township, where he taught 5th grade from 1966 to 1992.
While at Webber, Curtis established the Young Astronauts Club and the math and science clubs.
One of Curtis? greatest achievements at the elementary school was founding the Webber Nature Center (or Webber Acres) in the early 1970s, which is today called the Moose Tree Nature Preserve.
The 35-acre preserve is home to six different ecosystems, nature trails and a K-12 nature center with a ‘state-of-the-art? lab area.
Webber Media Specialist Margo Pittman, who knew Curtis for about 30 years, said he was ‘very, very instrumental? in the preserve’s establishment by collecting the necessary funds and materials to cultivate this ‘little area of wonderment.?
‘If it hadn’t been for Marvin realizing how important this acreage was, we wouldn’t have it today,? she said.
As a teacher, Pittman said Curtis was ‘very firm, but he also joked with them.?
‘The kids really loved him,? she said. ‘A lot of former students would come back to visit him and thank him. He was well thought of by both students and parents.?
Pittman said many who knew Curtis would often seek him out for advice.
‘Call Marv, he’ll know what to do,? she said was the first thing that sprang to many people’s minds.
‘He was a kind, wise guy,? Pittman said, adding that his mood was always positive and he was ‘very fiery? when it came to things he cared about. ‘He was great. He will definitely be missed.?
Prior to teaching, Curtis proudly served his country during the Korean War in the U.S. Navy, where he remained for 10 years doing cryptography work and attained the rank of CT1. He was a member of the U.S. Naval Cryptologic Veterans Association.
Although Curtis dropped out of Oxford High School in the 11th grade to join the Navy, he was considered a part of the Class of 1948 and always included in their reunions.
‘That made him very happy,? recalled daughter Lisa Benson, of Waterford.
Benson described her father as a ‘feisty? person who ‘loved to debate? and would ‘defend a position even though it wasn’t popular.?
One of the main goals in Curtis? life was to always try to make a difference in the lives of those around him, just as a few key individuals did for him growing up, Benson said.
Benson described Curtis as a very ‘family-oriented man? who was ‘very close to his children and grandchildren.?
‘He loved us all very much,? she said. ‘Family was everything to him.?
Curtis is survived by his children Mark Curtis, Beth Mitchell (Larry Frostad), Lisa (Tom) Benson and Amy Curtis (Jim Nicolow); grandchildren Holly, John, Drew, Evie and Joel; sister Ruth Levering and brother Floyd Curtis; and nieces and nephews.
A memorial reception was held April 26 at the Oakland County Boat Club. The arrangements were handled by the Bossardet Chapel Lynch and Sons Funeral Directors.
The family requested that memorial donations be sent to Hospice of Michigan (313-578-6260 or www.hom.org) or The Salvation Army.