Gerald Jerome Curtin, D.D.S.

A very special man passed away peacefully on January 23, 2009 at age 85 at the home of his daughter, Colleen M. Belmore, in San Antonio, TX. Gerry is survived by his loving wife of over 60 years, Colleen M. Curtin. In addition to their daughter, Colleen Belmore, Dr. Curtin is survived by sons Terence A. Curtin of San Antonio and Gerald D. Curtin of Poway, CA; as well as daughters Michelle T. Flynn of Lyons, CO, Margaret A. Bergman of Silver Spring, MD, and Patricia H. Morin of Kensington, MD, and their families which include 10 grandchildren.Gerald was born May 12, 1923 in Winsted, CT and was the only child of Daniel L. Curtin and Mary E. Fitzgerald. He was greatly loved by his parents, relatives and friends. He became the high school class president at Gilbert High School in Winsted in addition to earning his Eagle Scout designation. He excelled at all sports, especially football and baseball. He attended Yale University in New Haven in 1941 and played football his freshman and sophomore years before enlisting in the U.S. Army on February 26, 1943. Although he went through extensive training as a member of the Ski Patrol in Colorado and later in the Upper Midwest in the Engineering Corps, ultimately, as Gerald later told his children "General Omar Bradley decided that what he truly needed was more infantrymen." So Gerald joined the infantry and became part of the 1st Army, 9th Division, 60th Infantry Regiment ("Go Devils") and was involved in notable action in France and Eastern Germany, including Huertgen Forest and Remagen Bridge battles. He earned a Bronze Star for his combat role in the Battle of the Bulge. He was honorably discharged from the U.S. Army in March 1946 and returned to Yale University to complete his undergraduate degree in 1948. On August 5, 1948, Gerald and Colleen M. Begey of Torrington, CT were married and moved to Washington D.C. where Gerald continued his professional education at Georgetown University Dental School. By the time Gerald finished Dental School and passed his Boards, he and his wife already had 3 children and more were on the way. Maryland became home for the growing family and Gerald continued to practice dentistry for over 37 years in his private practice in Rockville, MD.Gerald and Colleen Curtin moved to San Antonio, Texas in 2006 to live with their daughter Colleen and near their son Terence and his family due to growing personal health issues and concerns. Gerald was a wonderful husband, father, grandfather, uncle, father-in-law and friend. He was a blessing to all who knew him. He was always loved and always loving. May God bless him and keep him in the palm of his hands forever.A private service was held on Thursday, January 29, 2009 at St. Helena Catholic Church.