"Please accept my deepest sympathy on the loss of your loved one. May you take comfort knowing that Peter is now in the arms of his Loving Heavenly Father."
In loving memory of
PETER COOPER CURTICE
September 9, 1930 - January 24, 2021
Senior Master Sergeant (USAF Ret.) Peter Cooper Curtice passed away Sunday morning, January 24, 2021, at Eastwood Nursing Center in Negaunee, MI.
Peter is survived by his loving wife of 69 years, Anne Recchio Curtice; brother, Aaron S. Curtice of Manchester, CT; four children, Lynne Curtice-Wilson (Chris) of Walnut Creek, CA, Cora Curtice-Zeits (John), Sheri Curtice-Young (Steve), and Peter Cooper Curtice II (Tara Farnsworth-Curtice) all of Gwinn, MI. He will be greatly missed by his grandchildren, Johanna Modenbach (Tom), Sean Wilson, Joshua Hutchens (Sandra), Michael Hutchens (Stephanie), Ian Hutchens (Nicole Young), Jered Wills (Veronica), Jesse Wills (Melissa Teasley), Caitlin Curtice, Peter Cooper Curtice III, Emily Curtice and seven great grandchildren.
Peter was born September 9th, 1930, to Charles Walcott Curtice and Cora Spiers Curtice in Poplarville, Mississippi. The family moved to Beltsville, Maryland where he was raised and graduated from high school.
Directly after high school, Peter joined the United States Marine Corps serving his country for two years and then transferred to the Air Force, proudly serving for another 28 years. He served in the occupation of Germany at the end of World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War where he aided in the recovery of downed pilots, and helped in the refitting of the USS Pueblo after the Pueblo Crisis. He received numerous awards for his efforts including the Bronze Star.
In 1951, early in his career while stationed at Griffiss Air Force Base, Rome NY, Pete met his bride to be, our Anne-Babe, at a New Year's Eve Ball where they discovered they both had a love for dancing. They married in November of that same year. Pete's military service brought his family all over the world living in Washington, New York, several tours in Germany, Oregon, the Philippines, Delaware, and finally settling at the former Sawyer Air Force Base, retiring from service in 1977 and settling in Skandia, MI for many years until later moving to Gwinn, MI.
Pete was a man of many hobbies and interests. He was a loyal Green Bay Packer fan, never missing a game. His love for the great outdoors brought him much joy including being an avid fisherman, enjoying camping and archery, competing in numerous chess tournaments, and reaping the benefits of his bountiful garden while he and Anne lived in Skandia, MI. Even after a lifetime of traveling, they would load up the Airstream and journey around the country making new friends, catching up with family, and rekindling old friendships made over their many years of travel. He was an avid reader of many genres; it was common to see him relaxing with his nose in a book only to be distracted by the birds feeding outside the picture window.
But, of all his hobbies his greatest interest was his family. He loved to spend time with his children and grandchildren. It was a common site to see him at all of the family events with a camera around his neck taking pictures to commemorate the moments he was most proud of. He will be greatly missed by all, especially his family.
A memorial service will be held on Friday, May 28th at 12 noon at Canale Gwinn Funeral Home and Cremation Services with the Rev. Allen Mott officiating and military honors provided by the honor guard of American Legion Post 349 of Little Lake. The service will be livestreamed at: https://my.gather.app/remember/peter-curtice-2021 The Curtice family will greet relatives and friends beginning at 10 a.m. until the time of the service in the funeral home. Due to Covid restrictions, no more than 25 persons permitted in the funeral home at one time. Burial will take place in Arlington National Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to the D.J. Jacobetti Home for Veterans, 425 Fisher St., Marquette, MI 49855 in Peter's memory.
His obituary can also be viewed at canalefuneral.com where relatives and friends may leave a note of remembrance.
Tributes
"Sheri I am so sorry for the loss of your Dad. Sending prayers for comfort and hope to your family. "
"My sincere condolences to the great family that I feel lucky to know. What a fulfilling life well lived. "
"Curtice Family, may all your memories bring you comfort today and always. I loved hearing the stories of Pete with his grandchildren. We will all hug our dads a little tighter tonight. Lisa Jahnke "
"Lots of great memories from family celebrations to hunting and archery tournys. A good man, husband, father, grand father and great grand father. A better than average father-in-law for several decades. :-) Godspeed. You will not be forgotten."
"Lots of great memories from family celebrations to hunting and archery tournys. A good man, husband, father, grand father and great grand father. A better than average father-in-law for several decades. :-) Godspeed. You will not be forgotten."
"To Anne and family, so sorry to hear of Pete\'s passing. Enjoyed coming to your house while I was working for Forsyth. MAY god Bless you! Mary Foster"
"My heartfelt sympathy to you all during this sad time ...may your memories sustain your hearts in the coming years "
"Your UP200/MIDNIGHT RUN and JACK PINE 30 friends send their sympathy and will keep your family in their thoughts."
"Anne and family, sincere sympathy in Peter ?s passing. Anne , I always enjoyed listening to the experiences you and Peter shared in your many travels during your long marriage, and told to us when you visited Mary Ann. My thoughts and prayers are with you all during this sad time."