He was known as Russell, Russ, or Rusty depending on the age he was when you entered his life. He was also affectionately known by his brother Scott as "Cheetah." However you knew him, a good man named Russell Goe Curtis III passed away on July 20, 2015. Rusty was born in Troy, New York on June 26th 1950. He is the beloved son of two wonderful and dedicated parents, Russell G. Curtis Jr. and Irene Stabach Curtis. Rusty grew up in Meriden, CT and is a 1968 graduate of Orville H. Platt High School. It was in high school that he, at the age of seventeen, caught the eye of a girl who would become his wife for forty-three years. His many friends from high school and his childhood neighborhood continued to be a significant presence throughout his life. Russ loved you all. Russ attended New England College and Quinnipiac College for a brief period but found he excelled at the trades. His first employer was G.R. Cummings Company of Meriden. Commercial construction was booming at that time, and Russ worked on projects all over the state that still retain his craftsmanship today. These projects were sources of pride that he continually pointed out to his son, Spencer. Because of his work in the trades, Russ could make, build, and fix anything. Whether it was our beautiful kitchen counter, the stone wall in front of our home, a broken weed whacker, or simply tinkering in the garage and cellar, Russ took pride in every project he undertook. His most recent undertakings were coat racks he painstakingly built for each of us despite limited use of his hands. When G.R. Cummings closed its doors Russ was fortunate to become employed by United Oil Recovery, Inc., an environmental company owned and operated by David Carabetta and family. Russ's dedication and hard work helped him eventually become Director of Sales and Marketing. He loved the people at United, his job, and the industry. United was an appropriate name because the people who worked there were truly caring and united with each other, the Carabetta family, and the business. The United family carried Russ on its back when he was struck with a rare and paralyzing disease. Due to his illness and the sale of United, Russ was unemployed for six years before he received a call from McVac Environmental Services, Inc.; another family owned and operated company. They too became a source of strength for Russ over the past two years, and we cannot thank Charles Demers and family enough for the opportunity they provided Russ. Russ was close to his family. He loved his parents, Irene and Russell Curtis and appreciated his devoted Mom's many homemade meals and special care. He shared an interest in his family history as told by his Dad and namesake, and golf was a bond between them. Russ enjoyed the countless hours spent with his brother striper fishing at Watch Hill and the countless miles they rode together on their bicycles. Russ showed his son, Spencer, what it really took to be a great father and proved he could be both a dad and a best friend at the same time. Spencer will always retain the lessons he learned from and the memories he shared with his Dad, whether they were formed on the slopes of the Wasatch Range, at the Rock Pit, or with a tool in hand. Two extremely rare and devastating illnesses affected my husband, Rusty. One left him hospitalized for fourteen months and paralyzed. Doctors said he would not walk again, but, after three years, his courage, strength, and determination helped prove them wrong. One year ago in June another rare illness struck, but again, Russ's courage, strength, and determination helped him beat the initial prognosis. After forty-three years there are so many memories I shared with Russ. One of our best memories we relived each year as we stood at the top of Deer Valley Ski Resort in Utah with the glistening white snow beneath our ski boots and the crystal blue sky above. I would say how fortunate we are to be so close to heaven. Rusty, I am sure you are there now. I love you, and I always will with all my heart. Help me stay strong. Russ is survived by his wife Cindy, his son, Spencer, his parents, Russell and Irene of Madison, his brother Scott of Meriden, his brother-in-laws and sister-in-laws, nephews, niece, aunts, uncle, and cousins. The family would like to thank Dr. Madhav Dhodapkar, Lisa Barbarotta and the loving staff at the Smilow Cancer Hospital at Yale New Haven for their compassionate care. Calling hours will be held on Friday July 24th from 4 -8 p.m. at the Stempien Funeral Home located at 450 Broad Street in Meriden, CT. A mass of Christian burial will be held at St. Stanislaus Church, Meriden at 10 a.m. on Saturday, July 25th. Donations in memory of Russ may be made to St. Stanislaus Church, 82 Akron St., Meriden, CT 06450 or to The Russell Goe Curtis III Memorial Fund online at www.youcaring.com/RGC3MemorialFund or by check made out to "Russell Goe Curtis III Memorial Fund c/o the Stempien Funeral Home", and sent to 450 Broad St., Meriden, CT 06450. www.stempienfuneralhome.com.