Curtis Ronald McMahon, 64

Peacefully, with his family by his side, Mr. Curtis Ronald McMahon passed away at his residence on Thursday May 11, 2006. Throughout his courageous fight, Curt was always positive and allowed us as a family to remember that we must "keep on keeping on!" He was born in Emo, Ontario, October 8, 1941 and was raised in the town of Rainy River. He was the only child of Bob and Mary McMahon. He was proud to talk about his roots and always shared stories of the family Shell Oil business, the fishing trips on Lake of the Woods and his time at the local hockey arena and baseball diamond. In Thunder Bay, he added curling to his list. His stories always focused on the people that he met along his life’s journey and he cherished each meeting. In 1962, he started his lifelong career. He moved to the Lakehead and entered Lakehead Teachers’ College. He began working for the McIntyre Board which amalgamated with the present Lakehead District School Board. Curt retired as a Superintendent of Education in 1997 but always held onto his role of teacher as his proudest educational accomplishment. Over his career, he was a teacher, vice-principal and principal of many rural and urban elementary schools. Along his career path, he always treated the staff, students and parents with respect, dignity, honour, humour and realism. Besides his career, one of his greatest joys was being a member of the Fort William Male Choir. While at Teachers’ College, he joined the choir and enjoyed the music and fellowship. As a life member, he held many executive positions including president and governor. In his retirement, he started on a new learning curve and rebuilt the family camp. Along with his friend, Stu, they spent 3 years planning, tearing down and building our Lake Superior retreat. He enjoyed the time at the camp just sitting on the deck with family close by watching his "million dollar view" of Lake Superior. After his retirement, he continued working with community agencies and was president/director of RTO(Retired Teachers of Ontario), Kairos, BISNO, Alpha Court and the Clover Beach Campers’ Association. Left to continue Curt’s journey until we meet again, are his loving wife and best friend Joanne, daughters Anne Marie of Thunder Bay and Catherine (Ken) Kuharski of Windsor, grandson Andrew and another grandchild making an arrival in the fall, sister -in-law Adeline (Young), aunts in Thunder Bay, Rainy River, Berglund and Toronto, and several cousins in the Rainy River District, and in Eastern and Western Ontario. He was predeceased by his parents Bob and Mary McMahon and special in laws Joe and Anna Young.
Cremation has taken place and a memorial service was held on Tuesday, May 16, 2006 at 11:00am in St. John’s Anglican Church (Pearl Street), with Rev. Paul Walmsley presiding. A private interment followed in Riverside Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate donations to the Northern Cancer Research Foundation.
Arrangements entrusted to the Sargent and Son Funeral Home, 21 N. Court Street. Curt touched many people but most deeply his family. People who share that close relationship are never that far away from each other. We keep on, keeping on.