George Curtin

George (Curt) Curtin, 94, died peacefully in his home in Auburn, MA. after a long illness.

Curtin was a respected poet and lifelong educator who taught English at Westfield State College (now WSU) for 20 years, following several years teaching younger students. After his retirement from teaching, he became Assistant Director at Hawthorn Services (now part of CHD), a nationally recognized program for elders with mental health needs in Western Mass.

Curtin was a first-generation Irish-American, born in Boston to Timothy Curtin and Frances West. Early on, he developed leadership skills at the Roxbury Boys Club, Sea Scouts and Boy Scouts and worked for ten years as a summer camp counselor at the Berkshire Boys Camp in Otis, MA. In his early adult yearshe combined part-time studies with a variety of jobs includingloading dock worker, store detective, insurance clerk, waiter, and bus driver. He proudly served in two branches of the U.S.military: the Naval Air Reserves and the Army.

A strong advocate for children and elders, Curtin served in a variety of volunteer capacities including the Westfield Vocational High Building Committee, Westfield School Committee, Massachusetts Association of School Committees,Hawthorn Human Rights Committee, Chicopee Council on Aging, CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate) and Department of Children and Families (DCF). He published six books of poetry and received funding from the Worcester Arts Council and the Mass Cultural Council to support his work.

Curtin leaves his loving wife of over 43 years, Darlene (Dee) O’Connor. His closest living relatives were his wife’s sister (Patricia O’Connor) and four brothers (Tim, Tom, Bob/Terry, and Gary O’Connor), along with many nieces and nephews. His parents and six siblings predeceased him, as did his first wife with whom he had three children. 

In keeping with his wishes, his body has been donated to the anatomical gift program at the University of Massachusetts Medical School. Memorial celebrations of his life and work are being planned for next spring and will be announced at a later time. Donations in his name may be made to the Worcester County Poetry Association or the CASA Project Worcester County.