Rory James Curtis

Rory James Curtis passed away unexpectedly at his home in Coral Springs, FL on June 30, 2023, at the age of thirty-nine years.

Rory leaves behind his father Brian Curtis and paternal grandfather James Curtis. Rory is also survived by his maternal grandparents, Lee Blessing, Geri and Tommy Halpin; along with 2 uncles and 2 aunts on his mother’s side, and a great uncle and aunt on his father’s side.

Rory is preceded in death by his mother Gale Curtis, sister Shawna Curtis-Ryan, grandmother Sandra Curtis, and aunt, Lisa Curtis.

Rory was born October 6th, 1983, in Plantation FL to Brian and Gale Curtis. Growing up in Coral Springs, Rory was a high performer throughout his academic career; attending Ramblewood elementary and middle schools where he was consistently awarded honors and recognition for academic excellence. Rory graduated from Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in 2002. Moving on to college, Rory attended the University of Central Florida on a Bright Futures academic scholarship, graduating in 2005 with an AA degree Majoring in Biology, while making the UCF Dean’s list. Rory continued his post graduate education at the University of Florida College of Pharmacy acquiring a Doctor of Pharmacy degree in 2009, once again making the Dean’s List and graduating Cum Laude.

After graduating from the University of Florida, Rory relocated to Tennessee to be near his sister Shawna and her children. Rory purchased a home in Mount Juliet, where they all lived together for several years. While working as full-time pharmacist for Walgreens, Rory continued his post graduate education achieving a BSN of Science Nursing and MSN in Nursing Practice, family Nursing Practitioner from Cumberland University in 2014, yet again making the Dean’s List. In 2014, Rory became a member of the Sigma Theta Tau, Nursing Honor Society.

Several years ago, Rory returned to South Florida to be near friends and family. He moved in temporarily with his grandparents and ended up staying to help care for them. Rory served as primary caregiver to his paternal grandmother as she struggled with dementia. Rory applied his education, medical background, and benevolence to care for his grandmother in her final years before she succumbed to Alzheimer’s disease. Rory’s skill and compassion as a caregiver allowed his grandmother to live out the end of her life with some measure of dignity and comfort in her own home among family and friends.

Rory was a special, thoughtful individual with extraordinary intellect, strong moral compass, and high degree of sensitivity and compassion. Rory took the recent death of his sister Shawna extremely hard and was devastated by her loss. Rory will live on in the hearts and memories of all who were fortunate enough to know and love him.

A celebration of Rory’s life will be held at Kraeer Funeral Home in Coral Springs on Saturday, September 9th beginning at 2:00 PM.