Dave Curtin, former Athletic Director at Columbia High School and current freshman football coach at Livingston High School, has passed away after a battle with cancer and heart failure.
The following notice was posted on the South Orange Maplewood Education Association Facebook page this morning:
It is with deepest sorrow that we inform you of the passing of Dave Curtin. He was a P.E. teacher and the former Athletic Director at Columbia High School. Dave recently turned 58 years old last week. Dave was a devoted husband, father of three and a grandfather of one. He also taught at the following schools: Wardlaw Hartridge, Malboro, Roselle Catholic and Breathy High School. He coached football at every school that he taught at except Roselle Catholic. Most recently he was the football coach at Livingston High School and the track and field coach at New Providence High School. He also enjoyed watching the NY Mets and NY Jets play because they were his favorite teams. Dave Curtin will be truly missed.
The following statement was issued by Livingston Public Schools:
“The extraordinary bond that Coach Curtin established with players and parents alike provided us an opportunity to witness what happens as a result of great teaching, coaching and character,” said David Cohen, the athletic director at Livingston High School, where Curtin recently coached freshmen football.
“We are very proud and thankful for Coach Curtin’s greatest accomplishment: the positive impact he has had on our athletes, which will remain with them for the rest of their life,” Cohen said.
Services are as follows:
Visitation will take place 3 to 7 p.m. on Sunday, August 14, 2016 at Higgins and Bonner Funeral Home, 582 Springfield Ave., Westfield, N.J.
A Celebration of Life will be held on Monday, August 15, 2016 at 10 a.m. at the Kenilworth Gospel Chapel, 557 Newark Avenue, Kenilworth, N.J.
In lieu of flowers, the Curtin Family respectfully requests that donations are sent to three organizations that were very close to Dave’s heart:
www.haea.org Hereditary Angioedema Association. HAEA is a genetic condition that causes swelling (edema) to various parts of the body. Dave suffered from this condition, as well as his two sons.
www.fcanj.org The Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA New Jersey) brings athletes and coaches together through sports in order to grow in their walk with the Lord. Dave credited the FCA in bringing him to a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.
www.fragilex.org The National Fragile X Foundation supports families who are living with a Fragile X child through their research, funding and educational programs. Dave’s grandson Jasper suffers from Fragile X and this was an especially important organization to him.
