Richard Curtis

ROCHESTER—Richard L. Curtis, 86, of Rochester, died Friday, May 30, 2008 at Helen Porter Nursing Home in Middlebury.

He was born in Rochester on August 25, 1921, the son of George and Ella (Warner) Curtis. A lifetime Rochester resident, he was a beef farmer and tree cutter for Riley Bostwick. While there, over the years, he cut four Christmas trees for the White House in Washington, D.C., the last one while Gov. Snelling was in office. He then worked as a lineman for the Rochester Electric Light and Power Company until retiring in 1986.

He married Irene Gibbs in Rochester on February 2, 1942. She died in 2005.

He enjoyed gardening, playing guitar, banjo and mandolin, lawn mowing, and sitting by his fire.

Survivors include his daughters, Ruth Dextraze of Bellows Falls, and Teresa Spalding and Susan Rice, both of Salisbury; sisters, Louise McIntyre of Rochester and Kathryn Miller of Bridgport, Maine; eight grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.

He was predeceased by his brothers, Howard and Edward; and by a great-granddaughter, Hope Spalding.

There will be a time to share memories of him at 11 a.m. on Saturday, June 14 at Woodlawn Cemetery in Rochester. There are no calling hours.

Online condolences may be left at www.dayfunerals.com.

Contributions in his memory may be made to the Vermont Institute of Natural Science, P.O. Box 1281, Queechee, Vt. 05059. Arrangements are by the Day Funeral Home in Randolph.

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