Curtis Matthew Conner

His sudden death has left his family and friends heartbroken. He is survived by his loving wife, Kerry Conner; his parents, Gerald and Nancy Conner, of The Villages, Fla; and his younger sister, Corinne Oakes and her husband, Philip Oakes, and their young sons, Conner and Jaxon, of Grand Canyon, Ariz. Also surviving are his uncle, Bryant Conner, of Ashland, Ill., and numerous cousins. He was preceded in death by his grandparents and his aunt, Patsy Conner Fisher.

Curt was born in Arlington, Va., and grew up in Decatur, Ill.; Eau Claire, Wis.; and White Bear Lake, Minn. as his parents moved for work. He graduated from White Bear Lake High School in 1990 and attended North Metro Technical College (now Century College).

Curt met Kerry Lynn Grebowski in St. Paul, Minn., and they fell in love and married Oct. 6, 2003, in a small ceremony for family and close friends in Las Vegas, Nev. The following year they moved to Florida, a place that Curt had explored as a child on family vacations and which captivated his heart for the next two decades. They developed a wide circle of wonderful friends with whom they enjoyed the beaches, swimming, bicycling, boating, and Caribbean cruises.

He was employed at Avery Products Corporation for the past several years. Previously he held positions in Florida with Jim Black and Associates, Inc., and Vital Records Management, Corp., and was praised for his problem-solving skills, leadership and attention to detail. He was known for his strong work ethic, starting in his mid-teens in retail, grocery and courier positions and then specializing in shipping and receiving for the printing sector in St. Paul.

Curt was passionate about barbecuing and smoking meat, and he researched and experimented with different flavors and techniques for his friends and family. He gained admiration for his delicious ribs, roasts, brisket and wings, which were lovingly known as “ConnerQ.”

Curt and Kerry had begun planning a fall trip to Arizona when he passed away. He will be sorely missed by his two young nephews, who loved reading, swimming, playing Legos and especially racing remote-controlled cars with him.

A Celebration of Life will be Sunday, Aug. 17, from 1 to 4 p.m. at Brandon Moose Lodge 1880, 804 S. Miller Rd., Valrico, Fla. 33594. A private cremation has taken place. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donating to a favorite cat rescue or the Hillsborough County Pet Resource Center, 440 N. Falkenburg Rd., Tampa, Fla. 33619.