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MANY PRESENT AT LAST RITES FOR FLT.-LT. RICHARD LEWIS CURTIN
[Welland Tribune, January 24, 1947]
The most largely attended funeral in Welland in several years was held yesterday afternoon as hundreds of friends paid their final respects to the late Flight-Lieutenant Richard Lewis Curtin, and showed their sympathy for the bereaved family. Flt.-Lt. Curtin, son of Mr and Mrs R.F. Curtin, of Welland, was killed when an R.C.A.F. plane crashed at Marsh Lake, Yukon Territory, on Wednesday, January 15, as it was returning to its base at Whitehorse after investigating a fire. Five other persons were killed when the plane crashed.
Services were held at the J.J. Patterson and Sons Funeral Residence, 19 Young Street, with Rev. A. D. Sutherland, minister of St Andrew’s Presbyterian Church, officiating. Mr Sutherland brought a comforting message to the mourners based on the text, “Cast thy burden upon the Lord.” Entombment was at Fonthill mausoleum.
Attesting to the popularity of the young man was a large number of floral tributes. Included was a particularly memorable wreath sent by the personnel of No. 6 Command Squadron of Whitehorse, of which Lew Curtin was a member, with instructions that a fresh orchid be placed on the wreath each day. Other R.C.A.F. floral pieces were from the officers and men of the R.C.A.F. Station at Whitehorse and the Air Officer Commanding and Officers of Northwest Air Command, Edmonton.
Flowers from local organizations included the Welland Sea Cadet Corps,Ladies Auxiliary of the Sea Cadets, Welland Optimist Club, Welland Anglers’ club, Mayor and council of the City of Welland, Welland Volunteer Firemen, Welland County Agricultural Society, Welland-Crowland branch of the Red Cross Society, Knights of Pythias, Past Chancellors Club of the Knights of Pythias, Past Chiefs Club of the Pythian Sisters, Presbyterian Sunday School. Alpha Chapter of Pi Delta Gamma Fraternity and Ladies’ A.A. Club.
Six cars were required to convey the floral tributes.
A representation of R.C.A. F. Officers from the Aylmer station together with members of the Welland police force provided a guard of honor at the funeral residence.
Sea Cadet George Farnsworth was present at the Fonthill mausoleum to sound the“Last Post.”
Paul-bearers were six close friends of the deceased; Jack Patterson, Hugh McNeil of Brantford, Robert Arthur, Owen Segert, J.E. Jones and Kenneth Beamer.
Six officers from the R.C.A.F. station at Aylmer acted as honorary bearers: Flt.-Lt. J. Hutton, Flt.-Ltd. J.R. Fraser, F.O. W.A. Winder, F.O C.E. Elliott, F.F. D.G. Parker. D.F.C. and F.O. C.W. Kipfer, D.F.C.
The funeral was attended by a large number of young people and many organizations were represented.
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