Elmer was born in Victoria and lived his early years at 1250 Pandora Avenue. He graduated from Victoria High School and had a keen mathematical mind. Soon after graduation, Elmer enlisted in the Air Force during World War II and flew transport planes as a Navigator Flight Lieutenant all over Europe, yet seldom talked about his experiences until later in life. After the war, he became a Surveyor for the BC Government and mapped the Northern Interior of the province from many mountain tops. When computers started coming on the scene, he changed careers and became a Systems Analyst programmer, back when the programs were still punched out onto paper cards. He was part of the team that developed the first computerized inventory of the Liquor Control Branch, yet never personally owned a computer! Elmer was passionate about gardening and instilled this love onto his children. He took great pleasure being a member of the Uplands Golf Club, golfing well into his 96th year. Elmer was also a loyal member of the Pro Patria Legion on the Gorge and enjoyed many Friday lunches with friends. His happiest times were spent at Shawnigan Lake, cherishing the cabin his father built in 1925. It was here that Elmer and his two sisters Evelyn and Lillian shared many summers with their families.
Dad passed away in his 100th year and was always smiling, kind and friendly to all. He lived in the house on Veda Place he bought in 1954 with his new bride Maxine, and lived there continuously for 70 years. He was always willing to help his family in whatever home projects were happening. He will be sorely missed for his sense of humour and loving heart.
Elmer leaves behind his wife of 70 years, Maxine, his daughter Gail (John) Sutherland, son Greg (Shannon) Curtis, granddaughters Kristy (Terence) Prince and Alisha Curtis, as well as great grandson Franklyn Prince.
A celebration of his life will be held in the Sequoia Centre at McCall Gardens, 4665 Falaise Drive, Victoria, BC on Thursday, July 11, 2024 at 2:00 pm.
Condolences may be offered to the family below.
McCall Gardens
www.mccallgardens.com
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Deb Knight
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Keith Spacey I met Elmer through Golf at Uplands, playing with him in his later years until he retired from the game at age 96yrs.
It was evident that Elmer was a natural athlete, consistently hitting good golf shots and shaming us at putting with his unique sideways, mallet technique. He was enthusiastic about sports generally and clearly had a reputation in Victoria for his younger days as a Lacrosse and Baseball player. He enjoyed the social aspects of Golf and was a ready volunteer at Uplands. He was always friendly, cheerful and generous with his garden products!
Elmer belonged to a generation that unselfishly put their lives on the line for their country during the war years. A generation that I have long admired. Canada was fortunate to have had men like Elmer Curtis and I was fortunate to have known him.
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Sylvia Ellsay Dear Maxine, Gail and Greg,
My condolences on your loss of your husband and father, Elmer. I am so pleased to read that he enjoyed such a long and happy life.
My eventual husband, Walley, and I had the privilege of working with Elmer for many years, starting during the exciting early years of computer technology in the BC government. We were part of the teams that developed the initial computerization of records and systems in many government departments. Elmer’s expertise was much valued in the Special Projects Team, formed in the early 1970’s to more speedily implement government’s top policy initiatives.
Elmer was a kind and generous gentleman, who brightened the days of all who knew him. One of his gifts to his fellow workers was to stock “Elmer’s Corner” – a drawer of chocolate bars and other snacks, available at cost, to keep energy levels up during long work sessions. I still remember him fondly whenever I eat a peppermint patty, a confection he stocked especially for me.
Gail, do you remember the Christmas when your dad donated the doll carriage you had grown past using? It was the nucleus of a gift from Santa for a single mother that a co-worker knew. A small girl named Deppy was overjoyed that Christmas morning, and treasured it for years. That was only one small example of your dad’s generosity.
I regret that I won’t be able to attend his celebration of Life on July 11th, as I will be in Stockholm, Sweden. Perhaps ironically, I will be travelling with Marsha Woodruff, the Honeywell Engineer who taught us, the Special Projects Programmers, about the intricacies of relational databases and their Cobol language compiler. That was in the mid 1970’s, when the government briefly expanded from exclusively IBM, to embrace Honeywell computers.
I have so many fond memories of Elmer!
Sylvia Ellsay
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Connie Tooby I am sorry for your loss and remember what a good friend Elmer was with my older brother, Bob Henson.
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John Ellis Condolences to Elmer’s family. I worked at the Data Centre on Menzies in the early 70’s and remember Elmer well. Always a very positive person who left me with a strong memory. I never knew he was a surveyor. What an interesting life he led.
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Colleen Grace I HAVE WORKED WITH ELMER AND MAXINE FOR ALMOST A YEAR AS A CARE AID. ELMER WAS USUALLY WAITING IN HIS LIVINGROOM WHEN I ARRIVED. ALWAYS A BIG SMILE AND FRIENDLY GREETINGS. I WILL MISS HIS QUIET EASY DEMEANER AND DETERMINED WAYS, TO CONQUER A PUZZLE. I will MISS MAKING MEALS AS HE LIKED YO EAT AND ALWAYS SEEMED APPRECIATIVE WITH MY COOKING….’good or bad! HE WILL BE SORLEY MISSED BY MANY.
LOVE,
COLLEN GRACE.
Auntie Max. Gail, Greg and families.
I’m so sorry to just find out about Uncle Elmer’s passing. We all enjoyed so many years as neighbors and friends. Always remember him in the garden and the yummy fruit from the apple and cherry trees. The pristine lawn he cared for and tons of basketball practice and game car rides.
My heartfelt condolences to all of you in such a great loss.
God Bless
Debbie