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Posted Apr 30, 2024 | 9:42 AM
Belleville native Curtis Crawford died April 27 in Ottawa surrounded by his family following a lengthy battle with cancer. He was 66.
Curtis is predeceased by his parents, Gail and Glen, and infant brother, Michael. He is survived by his wife, Anne; sisters Tina (Glenn) and Glenda (Joel); and children Joseph, Anthony and Elise. He will be fondly remembered by nieces and nephews Sarah, Jessica, Jozanne, Matthew and Alex.
Crawford joined the Belleville Bulldogs Rugby Football Club in their second year of operation in 1977 and would be associated with the game for six decades. A talented artist, he designed one of the Bulldogs’ original logos.
Curtis had the rare distinction of being honoured as a Life Member by two rugby clubs — the Bulldogs and the Ottawa-based Bytown Blues, who he joined after moving to the nation’s capital in the late 1980s.
Curtis played football, basketball and field lacrosse at Centennial Secondary School. He played varsity men’s OCAA basketball at Sheridan College in Oakville where he was a co-captain.
In the animation business, Curtis supervised major projects in Tokyo, Seoul and New York City. A subsequent foray into film production proved equally successful.
Known in rugby circles as the “Big Gorn,” Curtis will be best remembered for his love of family, friends and teammates. He was happiest when in the company of all three, enjoying a drink, swapping stories and sharing in laughter.
Plans for a celebration of life to be held in Belleville are yet to be announced.