Richard A. Curtis

Richard A. Curtis loving husband, father and grandfather

Olean - Richard A. Curtis, 88, of Olean, and formerly of Great Valley, passed away on April 12, 2022 after a brief illness.

Born September 27, 1933 in Great Valley, he was the son of the late Sidney R. Curtis and the late Lillian (Fisher) Ostricker. On July 14, 1962 in Ellicottville, he married his loving wife, Marian Emerson.

Dick graduated from Ellicottville High School in 1950.  After graduating, he worked on steamships in the Great Lakes for the U.S. Coast Guard until 1956, after which he joined the U.S Army and was honorably discharged in 1962. He retired from his work as a developmental aide at J.N. Adams in 1996.

Dick grew up in Great Valley, and spent many years there enjoying nature - especially hunting, fishing and trapping.  One of his greatest loves was spending time with family, whether hosting a family picnic, playing euchre and cribbage, or watching his children and grandchildren in their various activities.

In addition to his wife of 59 years, he is survived by four children: Valerie Plunkett of Great Valley, Charles (Beth) Curtis of Knoxville, TN; Pamela Curtis of Pleasantville, and Denise (Kris) Karr of Shinglehouse, PA; one foster son: Ronald (Dawn) Shaffer of Houston, TX; seven grandchildren: Ryan (Caitlin) Curtis, Danielle (Peter) Herbach, Janelle Curtis, Michael (Vicky) McDonald, Joelle Plunkett (Andrew Lenahan), Jacob Karr and Luke Karr; and six great-grandchildren: Rylin Curtis, Raigan Curtis, Audrey Herbach, Natalie McDonald, Avery Herbach and Luke McDonald.

Family will receive friends on Friday, (April 15, 2022) from 5pm to 7pm at Guenther Funeral Home, Inc. Olean, 1303 E. State St.  Funeral services will be held at the funeral home on Saturday (April 16, 2022) at 11 am.  Pastor Clint Pearsall from First Baptist Church of Shinglehouse will officiate, with military honors accorded by the Allegany American Legion Ritual team. Burial will be in Green Cemetery, Great Valley.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorial donations be made to one of the following:  Alzheimer’s Association http://alz.org ; LEEK Hunting and Mountain Preserve http://leekpreserve.org ; Cattaraugus County SPCA  http://spcacattco.org ; or a charity of your choice.