Obituary of Thomas Curtis

Tom Curtis, a charismatic and inspirational man, beloved by all who knew him, died after a sudden and unexpected illness on Tuesday, May 19, 2009, in San Francisco, the city he loved so dearly. He was 46. Tom used to say "This is not a dress rehearsal" when referring to life. Appropriate, in one sense, for a man who took his obligations, family, and friendships so seriously, never settling for second best, fostering vitality every step of the way. But Tom was never one for superfluous formality, living his life " and what a life it was " with humor, grace, and a comfort in own skin. In those rare moments when Tom encountered conflict, he tackled it with a persuasive charm captured by his catch-phrase, "We can do this the easy way, or we can do it the hard way." And then he would laugh, and more times than not, get his way, not because he was pushy or obstinate, but because his disarming affability would carry the day. Confident but humble, Tom struck an improbable balance that anchored his way through life, and impressed all those who were fortunate enough to encounter him along their road. Thomas Benedict Curtis was born May 8, 1963 in Waterbury, CT. He is the son of MaryEllen Deconinck Curtis, Cheshire, CT and Richard W. Curtis, Spring Hill, FL. Tom was the grandson of the late Anne C. Deconinck and Alexander T. Deconinck, his paternal grandparents, Eleanor B. Curtis and William S. Curtis, all of Waterbury, CT. Tom became a member of the Cheshire community at the age of six. He was a communicant of St. Bridget's Church. Tom was an accomplished equestrian, chosen to represent New Haven County at the Eastern States Exposition. Tom graduated from Choate / Rosemary Hall in 1981 and went on to earn his BA in English from Connecticut College in 1985. While at college, Tom and his dear friend, Peter Engelman, established "The Gallery," the college's first literary publication and an enduring testament to Tom's love of well-crafted words. Indeed, Tom was honored his senior year by the New England Poets Association as "Student Poet of the Year". He traveled to New England colleges and universities, reciting his work as only he could. Touched by many along his literary travels, Tom was especially inspired by E.E. Cummings, and found his voice through his teacher, friend and mentor, Pulitzer Prize winning poet, the late William Meredith. Always on the hunt for new opportunities, and the challenges of unfamiliar places, Tom left his native Connecticut and moved to San Francisco in 1987. His career started with the Charles Schwab Corporation as assistant to Charles Schwab, CEO. Guided by an eye and sensibility that would become his trademark, Tom launched his retail career with the Macy's, working as a buyer. Los Angeles' glitter eventually beckoned, with Tom designing a showpiece store for catching the attention of Disney which hired him to design a showpiece store for the company in the Beverly Hills Center. Tom achieved his greatest professional success after joining the bebe companies in 1998. Known for its entrepreneurial culture, cutting-edge apparel, and sophisticated style, Tom found an immediate, like-minded home at bebe, eventually serving as President of bebe Sport. Having built the company's most successful franchise from scratch, Tom retired from bebe in 2008, at the age of 45, to pursue his passion for travel and to enjoy uninterrupted time with friends and family. Tom's lifelong success owes to his unique talents, innate decency, and quite simply, the man he was. Tom's loving spirit will live on in the hearts of his mother and father, his precious sister Deborah Ubertalli, her husband Jack and his beloved niece and nephews Sierra, Luke and Sam Ubertalli of Cheshire, his partner Niles Bryant, grandmother Lillian Deconinck, aunt Janice Deconinck, stepmother Claudia Curtis, stepsisters Kate Bryan and Claudia Rossi and stepbrother Brian Green, and a remarkable number of friends from around the world. The Funeral to celebrate Tom's life will be held Saturday May 30th at 11:45 from Alderson Funeral Home of Cheshire, 615 South Main St. to St. Bridget Church 175 Main St. Cheshire for a Mass of Christian Burial at 12:30 P.M., followed by internment at Cheshire Hillside Cemetery. Friends are invited to gather at The Farms Country Club in Wallingford, CT for a time of sharing after the service. The family will receive friends Friday, May 29 from 5 to 9 P.M at the Alderson Funeral Home. Tom leaves behind a world, more beautiful for his touch, echoing in laughter, and looking forward " always forward " for the next adventure.