PAUL HARRIS AWARD FOR CHRIS CURTIS
At its October 3, 2013 meeting, the members of the Rotary Club of Concord honored the late Christopher M. Curtis II (Chris) for his community service by naming him a Paul Harris Fellow. In a ceremony attended by Chris’s family, Rotarians learned of the many qualities that made Chris a “Rotarian in spirit.” In testimonials by Chris’s stepfather Maynard Forbes and sister Hilary Curtis-Osmer, the details of Chris’s life revealed a man whose influence reached far beyond his dedicated work as manager of the West Concord 5 & 10.
Chris died in Texas on May 21, 2013 at age 49 while on a storm-chasing expedition. He left behind a legacy of friendship and commitment to all things West Concord including its Family Festival and Discover West Concord Day. In addition, Chris introduced a wide audience from Cub Scouts to Senior Citizens to the science of tornadoes and all weather-related events through personal appearances, internet blogs and guest columns in Boston-area publications.
Chris’s uncle, Ben Curtis, a Rotarian from Trumansburg NY, recognized in Chris’s humanitarian spirit the values of Rotary and suggested the Paul Harris award, an idea fully embraced by the Rotary Club of Concord. Paul Harris, for whom the award is named, was the founder of Rotary International, now in its 108th year. Harris stated “If you have the love of your fellow men in your hearts, …you are a potential Rotarian.” Harris believed that being a Rotarian meant a person held a certain set of values that would make him or her a good person to do business with. True of Chris Curtis, all agreed. Hilary Curtis graciously accepted a plaque and Paul Harris pin in honor of her brother.
Photo: Rotarian Dick Hale, Hilary Curtis, Maynard Forbes, June Grace
