John Curtis Jr.  an educator, of Montclair , passed away on the evening of August 15th @ 6:25 pm. John was born in Raleigh, NC in 1941. The only son of John Sr. and Lillian Curtis, he and his parents moved to Belleville, NJ shortly after John  was born. John served in the Air Force and soon after,  pursed a career in education, where he flourished as a teacher, assistant principal, and a director of special education. In 1982, he married Janet Jackson (no, not THAT Janet Jackson) and was a wonderful loving husband to her as well as an amazing father to her son Warren. John achieved a Master's Degree in education and during his time as an assistant principal, he was chosen by educational commissioner Saul Cooperman as one of only 3 New Jersey minority administrators to work in the State Department of Education as part of a new minority fellowship program designed to recruit more minorities into educational management. After which he became Director of Special Education in Paterson, a position of which he was proud of. John was also a devoted member of Christ Church, Montclair for over 20 years, where he served as an usher lovingly and faithfully. He and his wife traveled quite ofter and he was an avid golfer. A game he loved and became quite good at. John was aware of his blessings, and was always willing to help people less fortunate than himself. He leaves behind his wife Janet of 39 years,  son Warren, granddaughter, Brianna, great grandson, Isaiah, godson Kyle, loving cousins Francis Leach, Catherine, Dorothy, Donald, and Frank Edgerton and Julius Jones. As well as faithful friends Lorenzo Edwards, and Calvin Hall. His brother and sister in laws Lonnie & Lovette Gayle and Bobby and Ellen Gayle as well as a host of other relatives and loved ones.

In lieu of flower please make a donation in John's name to Tony's Kitchen