OBITUARY

Name:    Curtis Eugene Jennings

From:  The New Britain Herald, New Britain, Connecticut
Date:  Friday, July 29, 2011

Curtis E. Jennings, 99, of Newington, formerly of Belridge Rd., New Britain, passed away Thursday (July 28, 2011) at John Dempsey Hospital in Farmington. He was the widower of Shirley "Degi" Jennings, who died in 2007.

Born in Bloomfield, MO, he was drafted into the US Army in the late 1930's, served during World War II, continuing his service as an Operations Officer until his retirement as a Captain in 1956. Curtis earned his Bachelor's Degree at CCSU, a Master's Degree at Trinity College, and did his Doctoral work at Wesleyan University and the University of Connecticut after which he started teaching at CCSU where he was a member of the Department of History until his retirement in 1977.
   
Curtis served the New Britain community in many ways. He was a member and former chairman of the New Britain School Board and was especially active on the School Board Building Committee for 23 years. He also served on the Central CT Commission on Aging, the New Britain Grants Foundation and The United Way Committee. He was on the committee overseeing the Gate's Buildings Transformation into the new home as well as expansion of the city Senior Center. An avid UConn Women's Basketball fan, he was a member of St. Mark's Episcopal Church as was a Corporator of New Britain General Hospital.

Curtis leaves no living relatives, but is survived by his close friends and caregivers, Mohammed Hanif and his wife Darlene of Wallingford; Ramon Reyes and Jamie Lessard of Newington, and their families.

Funeral services with military honors will be Tuesday 11 AM at St. Mark's Episcopal Church, 147 West Main Street, New Britain, CT 06051. Burial will be private. There are no calling hours. Memorial donations may be made to St. Mark's Episcopal Church. Carlson Funeral Home, New Britain, is assisting with arrangements.