John Michael Curtin

John Michael Curtin, 59, of Dallas, Texas, passed away unexpectedly on July 22, 2022 in Dallas, Texas. He was born in Wilmington, N.C. on August 30, 1962. He was preceded in death by his beloved father, Thomas P. Curtin, and grandparents, Col. Edwin Curtin and Willette Curtin, as well as Mr. Hal McKee and Edna McKee. He is survived by his mother, Margaret McKee Crisler and stepfather, Charles "Chuck" Crisler of Windham, NH; his daughters, Allison A. Curtin of Cleveland, Ohio and Bella Curtin of Dallas, Texas (a beautiful French Bulldog). He will be missed as not only as a brother, but best friend to his loving sisters, Betsy Curtin (John Whitenack) of Bagdad, KY and Catherine Cowan of Kingston, GA. He was also a world class uncle to his nephew, Matthew Orgel (Felicia) and his niece, Alicia Orgel Cronin (Steve). He will be sorely missed by his stepmother, Mary Allen of Hemphill, TX and his brothers through her, Rick Allen (Carol), Shane Allen (Tanya) and nephew, Mark Allen (Lianne). He will be missed by his long-term partner, Cristin Keeler of Brooklyn, New York with whom he planned to enjoy a long and happy life in retirement on a large lake. In addition, he will be missed by his many friends from New York City, Dallas and Beaumont, as well as Louisville, Kentucky.

He graduated from Lamar University in Beaumont, TX where he earned a B.B.A. in Finance. He worked his way through college at Patrizi’s restaurant in Beaumont, Texas. Beginning his banking career as a local retail banker in December 1989, he moved to Boston, MA where he was a Commercial Credit Analyst until July 1991. He was hired by Eastern Bank and worked in Salem, MA until March 1992. In October 1993, he was promoted to Assistant Vice President at Bank One New Hampshire. Still with Bank One, he moved to Lexington, KY and then to Louisville, KY. After Bank One was bought by Chase in 2004, he joined Citibank in 2006 where he finished his career as Senior Risk Officer and SVP, starting and ending in Dallas, with a stint in between in New York City.

John Michael survived for 54 years with Juvenile Diabetes (Type 1) and was active in the NYC branch of the Diabetes Association.

He loved bicycling, golf, tennis, German cars, skiing and the New England Patriots. He was physically active his entire life. He had many proud accomplishments including a mighty trek up and down Tuckerman’s Ravine on the backside of Mt. Washington, NH. John Michael learned skiing with his mother Margaret and stepfather Chuck in the late 1980s. He loved the sport so much, he passed on his love and skills to his sisters, Betsy and Catherine and delighted in teaching his nephew Matthew, niece Alicia and his daughter Allison "Ally". While he travelled to many ski resorts including Utah and Aspen, CO, his true love was skiing in the White Mountains of NH where he was the enthusiastic planner of “Ski Week” and where the extended family would join his mother Margaret and stay to ski for an entire week of family fun.

John Michael was a big lover of annual family traditions that extended to many joyous memories. He played a major part in family get togethers. Since tennis was a passion of his and his sister Betsy, the annual US OPEN tradition was especially important since it coincided with his birthday. Joined by Betsy and his good friend Carol Ryan, much time was spent watching legendary tennis matches.

Another John Michael tradition was going back to Louisville, KY to watch the Breeder’s Cup and the Kentucky Derby on the backside of the track where he watched in wonder as the triple crown winner American Pharaoh was washed by trainers after his Kentucky Derby win. He would have liked to acknowledge that this experience was made possible by his friend Jackie Nance, the part owner of Authentic, who won the 2020 Kentucky Derby. He was accompanied many times by his best friend and fellow horse lover Brad Peters, a Kentucky native and fellow long-time Bank One and Citibank colleague.

John Michael was a talented chef who delighted in cooking many delicious meals for his extended family and friends, including his other annual tradition of spending every 4th of July weekend smoking a brisket for everyone to enjoy at the lake property in Hemphill Texas that was purchased by his father Thomas and Mary Allen for the extended family to enjoy.

There are many great things to say about John Michael but the most special thing about him is his loving heart, his endless generosity, and his ability to be friends and remain friends with everyone he met. He was a truly wonderful human being who has found his place in Heaven with his father and grandparents.

There will be a chapel service at 11:00 am on Saturday, July 30, at Sparkman/Hillcrest Funeral Home in Dallas, Texas, where livestreaming will be available to those who cannot attend - link is below under service information.

The family is planning a celebration of his life later this year in Kentucky.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, Dallas Chapter at www.jdrf.org.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.Sparkman-Hillcrest.com for the Curtin family.