Obituary of Gerald P. Curtis

Gerald Palmer Curtis Gerald "Jerry" Palmer Curtis passed away peacefully in his home, surrounded by his loving family on Sunday, July 14, 2019. Jerry was born December 22, 1937 in Cornwall, New York to his parents Mason Jay and Nina Belle (Fancher) Curtis. Jerry graduated from Sidney High School. He enlisted in the United States Marine Corps on September 8, 1959 and was honorably discharged at the rank of Corporal on September 17, 1965. During his service Jerry was privileged to serve at Marine Barracks, 8th & I in Washington, D. C. as a member of the Ceremonial Guard Company's Silent Drill Platoon and Camp David Security Detail. He provided security for Presidents Eisenhower and Kennedy, security for President Eisenhower's six weeks at the summer White House in Newport, Rhode Island and was a guard at President Kennedy's 1961 Inauguration. He also embarked with the H & S Company, 2nd Antitank Batallion aboard the USS Rankin during the Cuban Missile Crisis. Jerry married Evonne "Bonnie" Provenzon at the Sidney United Methodist Church on June 18, 1960. Upon discharge from the USMC, Jerry and Bonnie returned to Sidney where they raised their children Jill Acenath, James Gerald and Juli Anne. Jerry was employed at Scintilla and was selected for the toolmaker's apprenticeship. He worked at Scintilla/Bendix/Amphenol for 30 years. He then worked for Keith Clark/Mead Westvaco as a security guard and later as a toolmaker at Egli Machine. In 1997, Jerry returned to work for Amphenol at their Nogales, Mexico plant. He also painted with his good friend Bill Dann and was a courier for the Sidney Federal Credit Union. In high school Jerry was an outstanding athlete. In 2012 he was inducted to the Sidney Alumni Association's Sports Hall of Fame. He was active with the Boy Scouts of America, served his community as a volunteer with the Phelps Hose Company of the Sidney Fire Department. He served on the board of the Sidney Cemetery Association and was a founding member of the Sidney Veterans' Memorial Park. In his earlier years, Jerry enjoyed canoeing with the Western Auto Wizards Relay Team, where he formed life-long friendships. Most recently, Jerry enjoyed his morning coffee and solving the world's problems with his special friends. Jerry is survived by his loving wife of 59 years, Bonnie, and his children and their spouses Jill (Mike) Brazee, Jim (Liz) Curtis and Juli (Mike) Mercurio. He is also survived by his grandchildren Erica (Jake) Granger, Ashley Brazee, Matthew Curtis (Anna LaMendola), Alyssa Curtis (Taylor Burth), Taylor George, Riley Howland, Teresa Mercurio and Matthew Mercurio, and a great grandchild, the apple of his eye, Caroline Granger. He is also survived by a sister Sandra Curtis, and sisters- and brothers-in-law Patti Jo (Jim) Doi, Jim (Mary Lynn) Provenzon, Anne Marie (Phil) Pauls and Shirley Curtis as well as several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his parents, sisters Marjorie Holt, Barbara Walker and Phyllis Byrne, and brother Milton Curtis, and in-laws Frank and Alice Provenzon. As per Jerry's wishes, there will be no services. Donations in his memory may be made to the Sidney Veterans' Memorial Park c/o SVMP Association, PO Box 632, Sidney NY 13838. Condolences and memories may be shared online at www.landersfh.com Arrangements are under the direction of C.H. Landers Funeral Chapel Sidney.