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On April 21st, 1962 in Calgary, Alberta at The General Hospital, Benjamin Curtis Thiessen (“Curtis”) was born small, but fierce. From the beginning he had to scrap, and was often referred to as a “little scrapper” throughout his youth. Raised in Willow Park, Curtis made an abundance of friends throughout the neighbourhood as well as at Willow Park Elementary, RT Alderman, and Lord Beaverbrook High School.
A natural athlete who loved sports, Curtis was gifted with talent and it showed. As a hockey player given the nickname of “The Red Baron”, he played in a famous national minor hockey tournament, a tournament in which he not only played but was an MVP. This was in the 1970’s, which to all those who know, this was a hard-nosed era of hockey. He also excelled in baseball, and traveled across the country to play in a national baseball tournament as well. Whether it was these sports or others like lacrosse or football, his natural abilities were always on display.
His talents and gifts were also apparent as Curtis was a routine troublemaker who frequently kept his father Ben and mother Lorraine on their toes. Stories abounded at many family gatherings of his younger years, tales of the misadventures of Curtis and his neighbourhood band of delinquents. He never argued over the events described, more often smiling in an impish way and letting the stories roll; he knew they were true. He was close with his older sister Carol, younger sister Susanne; and even spent two years with good friends John and Dave coaching his youngest sibling Bill to a bantam hockey city championship.
Curtis’ next great achievement was marrying Terry by age 25, and having his two daughters Ashley and Lyndsey before he was 31. A beautiful family whom he loved. Tragically, Curtis became a widower as Terry was lost to cancer at the young age of 36. Curtis was now the sole parent of his daughters and managed to raise two smart, capable, loving, and beautiful girls along his journey. Both scrappers and troublemakers in their own right.
Curtis achieved a lot in his life, but he would tell anyone that his greatest achievement was raising those two daughters, and just how proud of them he was. He enjoyed a great relationship with his son in-laws; he loved golfing with Brandon(Ashley), and boating with Brady(Lyndsey). Four of his grandchildren are also amongst us today. From youngest to oldest there is Sivan, Romee, Kolby, and Hudson. Whether biologically his or by heart, he loved them all.
Shortly after his 54th birthday, Curtis suffered a severe heart attack, and was fortunate to have survived. Aware of this, he fought hard for every one of the seven years that followed so he could enjoy his family, his children, his grandchildren, and his girlfriend Sophie. Curtis may not have had the last years were it not for the love and companionship of Sophie. The family is grateful for their love of one another.
In addition to enjoying the time with his loved ones, Curtis spent his remaining years focused on another passion of his: golf. Curtis became a member of a golf club, and made many new friends along the way. Cottonwood became almost a second home for him, and a second family. As a naturally gifted athlete, with not only natural gifts but the drive and determination to achieve anything he set his mind to, it would come as a shock to no one that Curtis was able to achieve an accomplishment that not even a small percentage of pros will achieve in their lifetimes. He made a hole in one. Not only once… but twice.
Tragically, on August 27th, 2023, Curtis lost a hard fought battle with cancer and heart disease. Curtis will be missed dearly, and our family is grieving his loss. Grief is the price we pay for love. Tears and laughter are what we’ve been provided. Laughter is in the joy of knowing what we had, and tears in knowing that he loved us as we had loved him. There is great pride in having called Curtis a son, a brother, a husband, a father, a partner, a grandfather, a father in-law, and a friend.
We love you with all of our hearts and will miss you until we meet again. Curtis, may God bless you, the family, and the friends you loved. You will be lovingly remembered and never forgotten.
There will be a memorial service held at Cottonwood Golf & Country Club on September 10, 2023 at 2pm to celebrate and honour Curtis’ life.
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April 21 1962
August 27 2023
Death notice for the town of: High-River, Province: Alberta
death notice Curtis April 21 1962
August 27 2023
obituaries notice Curtis April 21 1962
August 27 2023
We offer our deepest sympathies to the family and friends of Curtis April 21 1962
August 27 2023 and hope that their memory may be a source of comfort during this difficult time. Your thoughts and kind words are greatly appreciated.
