Curtiss M. Lund, 71, of Port Charlotte Florida, passed away on November 16th, 2010 at the Tidewell Hospice House surrounded by his family following a 6 month courageous battle with complications from diabetes and lung cancer.
He was born February 9, 1939 in Bridgeport CT to Martin and Inez Lund . He was a 1957 graduate of Natick (MA) High School. He was also recently inducted into his basketball team’s Hall of Fame. He attended the University of Rhode Island and Burdett School of Business in Boston.
He married his high school sweetheart in 1960 and recently celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary.
He began his career in 1962 in the crane and heavy equipment industry while living in Holliston MA. In 1973 he moved his family to Cape Cod and lived there for 32 years before retiring to Port Charlotte FL in 2005. He became operations manager of Julian Crane & Equipment for 15 years before joining Crane Inspection & Certification Bureau in Orlando FL as a regional manager. He also briefly served as Operations Manager for the Boston office of BT Equipment. He then became a Crane Safety Consultant associated with Bob DeBenedictis, Inc prior to owning Curt Lund, Inc. He investigated crane accidents, offered expert witness testimony in court, and provided crane safety training programs.
He served at one time as Secretary of Crane Rental Association of New England, past member of Crane Certification Association of America, and past member of International Union of Operating Engineers-Local #4, Boston, MA.
On Cape Cod he enjoyed fishing, camping and partying with family and friends on North Beach in Chatham, MA. He also enjoyed traveling in his numerous motor homes. He took great pride in his yard, both on Cape Cod and in Port Charlotte FL, he also loved to grow tomatoes and green peppers. Cooking was a great hobby of his, especially preparing seafood dishes. After relocating to Florida, he enjoyed “belly baking” on the white sands of Boca Grande.
He is survived by his wife, Linda , daughter Christine “Tina” (Thomas) Peters of Port Charlotte, son Martin Lund (and best friend/companion Sherri McCabe) of Harwich MA, granddaughter Emily Lund of Woonsocket RI, brother-in-law Philip Johnson (Nancy) of Scarborough, ME and many cousins, nieces and nephews.
Memorial services to be held at a later date in the Spring of 2011 on Cape Cod. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Tidewell Hospice House, 1144 Veronica St., Port Charlotte, FL 33952 or . National Marfan Foundation,22 Manhasset Ave., Port Washington, NY 11050-9801.
Friends may visit online at www.robersonfh.com to sign the guest book and extend condolences to the family. Arrangements are by Roberson Funeral Home & Crematory Port Charlotte Chapel.