74 years of service honoured

FOR more than seven decades John “Jack” Curtis dedicated his life to the CFA and his community.

The lifelong member of Belmont Fire Brigade died on June 8 aged 91.

Mr Curtis (pictured) joined the brigade in 1946 and served for 74 years as a firefighter, captain, lieutenant, secretary and brigade chair. He was named a brigade life member in 1969 and CFA life member in 1991.

Mr Curtis received many awards including a national medal in 1986, an outstanding service badge in 2007 and the VFBV gold star. He was the first Belmont member to be awarded a 50-year service medal in 1997.

Mr Curtis will leave a lasting legacy at the brigade with a CFA truck and brigade member of the year award named in his honour.

Commander Mark Sinkinson said Mr Curtis was well respected by all he served with and his presence and contribution to the brigade would be truly missed.

“He was definitely dedicated to his work with the CFA as a volunteer, he was very passionate about his family and was a dedicated family man,” he said.

“He was a bit of a larrikin, he was a thinking man and he was known to be quite inventive over the years.”

Mr Sinkinson said Mr Curtis worked in telecommunications and invented little gadgets to improve the fire station systems over the years.

“Jack was extremely rare, a true gentlemen and though he was wasn’t an active firefighter for many years he still provided support, knowledge and humour,” Mr Sinkinson said. “He was a quiet achiever.” Mr Sinkinson was farewelled at a private funeral yesterday. Firefighters paid tribute to Mr Curtis by forming a socially-distanced guard of honour.