BOWDOINHAM – Arthur Perry “Bud” Curtis, 87, died Monday morn-ing, Nov. 19, 2007, at Veterans Administrative Medical Center, Togus. Bud was born Oct. 25, 1920, in Presque Isle, the son of Cleveland Perry and Susan Elva Sparks Curtis. He attended Bowdoinham schools, and was a graduate of Morse High School, 1939 and Bowdoin College, 1944, graduating Summa Cum Laude. After college, he served in the U.S. Navy during World War II. He married Shirley Ann Douglass, June 1, 1946, in Brunswick. Bud worked on his father’s dairy farm in his youth, delivering milk products in the Richmond/Bowdoinham area. He eventually owned CP Curtis Insurance Agency for 31 years, taking over from his father who founded the business and retired in 1996. Arthur served as town manager of Bowdoinham for seven years along with duties as tax collector and road commissioner. He also served as a state representative to the Maine Legislature for two terms, 1968-1972. Bud was a devoted grange member of Merrymeeting Grange No. 258 for more than 65 years. He served as deputy master of Maine State Grange along with his wife, Shirley, who was a junior deputy. He was a 50-year member of Village Lodge No. 26, Ancient Free & Accepted Masons, having served as master. His other numerous activities included membership in the Knights of Pythias, the American Legion, Disabled American Vets, as well as a leader in both the 4H Club and Boy Scouts of America. Arthur loved being a Boy Scout leader, often reminiscing about the great times at Camp Hinds with scouts from the local area. Bud enjoyed community service throughout his life. He served the town as an elected selectman; was the secretary and treasurer of Bowdoinham Fire Department Association for more than 40 years; a founding member of Bowdoinham Water District; a founding member of Sagadahoc County Conservation Committee; and a founding member of Bowdoinham Credit Union. He also served as chairman for both the Sagadahoc Republican County Committee and Sagadahoc County Republican Town Committee. Arthur was a devout member of his church, Bowdoinham Second Baptist, where he served as deacon, trustee and treasurer for decades. He taught the adult Sunday school class there, which he dearly loved. He enjoyed studying the Bible and completed several classes at Bangor Theological Seminary. He also served as member of the executive board of American Baptist Churches of Maine. Bud was predeceased by his beloved wife of 51 years, Shirley, in 1998. He is survived by two daughters, Susan J. Hackett and husband, Steven, of Bowdoinham, and Rebecca A. Curtis and husband, John Kersey, of St. Petersburg Beach, Fla.; sister, Margaret A. Derocher of Brunswick; grandson, Ralph Kevin Jackson and wife, Christine, of Wilton; granddaughters, Jennifer Jackson of Chesterton, Ind., and Barbara Hackett of Bath; and nephew, Paul A. Derocher and wife, Patricia. His beloved adoptive family, son, Hoeung Curtis Kim; daughter, TK Kim; granddaughters, Thieng Kim and Kayla Hieng Kim; grandsons, Seth Kim and Steven Kim; also, five great-grandchildren, Sully, Chenoa, Trevayne, Annaset and Paige. Bud Curtis’ life was filled with generosity, spirituality, modesty, wit and humor. His stories of Bowdoinham and Maine life were always enjoyed by his many friends at the town landing. He will be deeply missed by all who knew him. Friends may visit 2-4 or 6-8 p.m. Monday, Nov. 26, at Brackett Funeral Home, 29 Federal St., Brunswick. A Knight’s of Pythias service will be held 6 p.m., after which a Grange memorial service will be held 7 p.m. Monday. A funeral service will take place 1 p.m. Tuesday at Second Baptist Church, Bowdoinham, with the Rev. John Stratton officiating. Interment will be at Bay View Cemetery, Bowdoinham. Memorial contributions may be made to Second Baptist Church, P.O. Box 87, Bowdoinham, ME 04008 or Merrymeeting Grange No. 258, care of Helen Read, P.O. Box 95, Bowdoinham, ME 04008. Condolences can be expressed at www.brackettfuneralhome.com.
ARTHUR PERRY ‘BUD’ CURTIS
