Percy Falconer Curtis 1859

Percy was born about 1859, the son of Charles William Curtis and Henrietta Francisca Robinson, at St. George Hanover Square London.
Percy came to Canada in 1883 and farmed in the Pembina Valley, Manitoba, where he met Alice Lea.
Percy and Alice were married in 1893 in St. Luke's Church, Pembina Crossing. Before coming to Baldur, they lived in the Bahamas on a farm where they raised sisal. When they came to Baldur they bought Mr. Griffith's general store.
From the time of their arrival in 1895, Percy and Alice became active and highly respected citizens. By their participation in the life of the community, their deep interest in the youth, and their never-failing generosity, they well deserve the respect and affection they soon received from all who knew them.
For a time, Percy also operated a store in Greenway and there he had a frightening experience. On day in April 1899, while working upstairs alone, he was struck by lightening and rendered unconscious for a time. On regaining consciousness, he found one leg completely paralyzed; fortunately, he recovered fully in a few hours. Beyond the large hole in the roof, the building received no damage. A narrow escape indeed!
Percy spared neither time nor money in his desire to promote good sport for the youth of the community. In 1900 he gave cricket sets to boys of several school districts and in the news of that time there is an account of the first cricket match, Excelsior versus Baldur, which was followed by races, jumping and other contests; and finally a dinner served in the store. No wonder they sang "For he's a jolly good fellow!". In the same year, a boy's hockey club and a lacrosse club were organized. A tennis club followed in 1901, and in 1902 a rifle club was added. No doubt other men were involved in these projects but always mention was made of Mr. Curtis, who was ever ready and willing to give his time and resources.
The smaller children were not forgotten. Quoted from the Baldur Gazette of April 1905, "Mr. and Mrs. Curtis gave an Easter party in Victoria Hall for eighty-five children of the Baldur community whose ages were chiefly from three to eleven.

The party lasted about three hours, during which time they enjoyed games and food - and a short address expressing the pleasure of the host and hostess at seeing them so happy."
Halloween parties help keep the lads occupied with harmless pursuits. At the Curtis home they found a variety of games for various ages and following the games, there was always a generous supply of food to finish the evening. Percy's motto could have been "Give them something better to do and they won't go looking for trouble." Percy and Alice were vitally interested in the serious side of life. They were staunch Anglicans, and gave their whole-hearted support to the building of St. Mark's, Baldur. If illness came to a family they gave their sympathy in whatever way would be of the greatest benefit. Briefly stated, they were citizens who endeared themselves to young and old alike. When they left in 1908 to make their retirement home in Victoria, B.C., the best wishes of the whole community went with them.
As long as possible they kept in touch by letter and Christmas cards; and although they were never back in person, the happy memories of their sojourn here are still alive in the Baldur community. Many Baldur citizens visiting Victoria called at 1660 Prospect Place to renew old friendships.
In Victoria, Percy's years of "retirement" continued to be filled with activity. At various times, he served on the Oak Bay School Board, was president of the Oak Bay Athletic Association, and was identified for may years with the rugby union and was a staunch supporter of the game. He was also an active supporter and one-time president of the Victoria and Island Navy League and Honourary Treasurer of the Red Cross Society. He was also chairman of the directors of Brentwood College. After moving to Victoria, Percy and Alice adopted two nephews, John Charles (Jack) and Edward Lea (Teddy), sons of Alice's sister, Rachel Sigg. Teddy, who became a pilot, lost his life in action during World War II.
Percy lived a busy and productive life until ill-health curtailed his activities. He died 8 March 1936 and after cremation, his ashes were spread over Brentwood College./

Alice Gertrude Lea 1876-1962

Alice was bon about 1876, the daughter of Richard Nathaniel Lea and Mary Brown in Staffordshire. She came to Canada with the Lea family in 1880 and settled with them on a farm ten miles south of Manitou and one mile from Pembina Crossing, Manitobapercy.

After Percy's death, Alice's brother and his wife made their home with Alice until her death on August 27, 1962. Her remains were returned to Manitoba and interred in the cemetery at Pembina Crossing.

I have identified the following adopted children.

	John Charles "Jack"	No Date
	Edward Lea "Teddy"	Born abt 1907

Birth of Parents

Percy Falconer Curtis

b: abt 1859 London 1859 4Q St Geo Hanover Sq 1a 231
son of Charles William Curtis and Henrietta Francisca Robinson

Alice Gertrude Lea

b: abt 1875 Birmingham 1876 1Q West Bromwich 6b 7-4
daughter of Richard Nathaniel Lea and Mary Brown

Marriage

8 Aug 1893
Percy Falconer Curtis
Alice Gertrude Lea

St. Lukes, Pembina Crossing

3rd daughter of R.N. Lea of Fairbrook Farm, Pembina Crossing

The Manitou Mercury, 12 Aug 1893 MARRIAGES

Pembina Crossing Wedding St. Lukes, Pembina Crossing was the scene of a very interesting event on Tuesday last, the 8th instant, being the marriage of Mr. Percy F. Curtis of the Bahamas Islands, brother of Mr. E. H. Curtis of the Ranche, to Miss Alice Lea, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. R.N. Lea of Fairbrook, Pembina Crossing. The ceremony was conducted by the Rev. E. P. Nicholl.
The bride was given away by her father, her sisters Miss Ada, Dora and Phyllis Lea, Miss I. Nicholl being the bridesmaids, and Mr. E. H. Curtis acting as best man to the bridegroom. The bride was attired in a simple white mull muslin trimmed with lace and satin ribbon, the skirt

being worked around the hem with white roped robe silk, the veil and orange blossom were the same worn by the bride's mother. The travelling dress was a navy blue costume cloth, tailor made, with pink pongor silk blouse and a straw hat to match. The bridesmaids wore fancy white muslins, trimmed with ribbons to match. They also wore silver brooches, the gift of the bridegroom.
After the ceremony, Mrs. Lea entertained a few friends at a wedding breakfast and the happy pair left shortly afterwards Rat Portage, where the honeymoon is to be spent. Mrs. Lea held a reception in the evening in honour of the event.

Adopted Children

John Charles "Jack" Curtis

No Date
son of Alice's sister Rachel Sigg

Edward Lee "Teddy" Curtis

abt 1907
son of Alice's sister Rachel Sigg

1921 Census	1921		Newcastle, Nanaimo, British Columbia
Page 13 1660 Prespect Place, Oak Bay		Year of Immigration	Birthplace Person	Birthplace Father	Birthplace Mother
Percy Curtis Alice (Wife) Edward (Son)	Age 61 Age 45 Age 13	1883 1890 1910	England England USA	England England England	England England England	abt 1859 abt 1875 abt 1907

Death

Percy Falconer Curtis

Died 8 Mar 1936

The Times, Tuesday, Apr 14, 1936 DEATHS

CURTIS - On March 8 1936, at 1660, Prospect Place, Oak Bay, Victoria, B.C., PERCY FALCONER, second son of the late CHARLES WILLIAM CURTIS, of Knearsney Abbey, Dover.

The Colonist, Tuesday, Mar 10, 1936 DEATHS

P.F. Curtis is taken by Death
Respected Resident of Oak Bay
Succumbs at Home - Funeral
on Wednesday Percy Falconer Curtis, highly respected resident of Oak Bay, died on Sunday at his residence, 1660 Prospect Place, aged seventy-six years. Widely known and respected for his public interests and activities, Mr. Curtis' passing will be mourned by a wide circle of friends. Mr. Curtis was born in London, England, and came to Canada in 1883. He came to Victoria to make his home in 1908. FORMER TRUSTEE He early showed an interest in public service and for a time was on the Oak Bay School Board. He was instrumental in the formation of the Oak Bay School Athletic Association of which he was formerly president. Mr. Curtis was a former chairman of the Board of Directors of the Brentwood College and was for many years identified with the Victoria Rugby Union.

As example of his interest in the sport, Mr. Curtis donated a trophy known as the Curtis Cup for which competition is held yearly between the younger and lighter students of the greater Victoria schools. Other organizations He was an active supporter and former president of the Victoria and Island Branch of the Navy League of Canada. For many years Mr. Curtis held the post of honourary treasurer of the Victoria Red Cross Society until ill health curtailed his activities. He is survived by his widow, two sons, John Charles in the United States and Edward Lee at home. The funeral will be held on Wednesday. The cortege will leave the late residence, 1660 Prospect Place, at 2:15 p.m. and proceeding to St. Mary Church where service will be conducted by Rev. Canon Nunn at 2:30. After the service the remains will be forwarded to Vancouver for cremation. It is especially requested that that no flowers be sent. The arrangements are in the hands of Haywards B.C. Funeral Co. Ltd.

IN Memory of
Serjeant EDWARD LEA CURTIS
2104, 1 Coy., Hong Kong Volunteer Defence Corps
Who Died Age 34
ON 18 December 1941

Son of Percy F. and Alice L. Curtis;
husband of Ragland B. Curtis
of Method, North Carolina, U.S.A

REMEMBERED WITH HONOUR

SAI WAN MEMORIAL, Hong Kong, China

COMMONWEALTH WAR GRAVES COMMISSION

Death

Alice Gertrude (Lea) Curtis

Died 27 Aug 1962

The Western Canadian, Thursday, Sep 13, 1962 OBITUARIES

OBITUARY
Mrs. Alice G. Curtis The funeral service was held on Wednesday, 29 August 1962 at Haywards Chapel, Victoria, B.C. for Mrs. Alice Gertrude Curtis who passed away on Monday, 27 August of 1660 Prospect Place, Victoria, B.C.
Mrs. Curtis was born in Birmingham, England in 1875. Coming with her parents, Mr. and Mrs. R.N. Lea, to this country as a small child in 1880, she lived most of her girlhood days on the old homestead which is situated ten miles southwest of Manitou where Mr. E.H. Lea and his family now reside.
In 1893 she was married to Mr. P.F. Curtis at St. Lukes, Pembina Crossing, and spent a few years in Nassau, Bahamas Islands where Mr. Curtis was engaged in sisal

farming, returning to Canada to manage a general store in Baldur, Manitoba until 1909 when they moved to Victoria, B.C. Mr. Curtis predeceased his wife in 1936.
Mrs. Curtis is survived by one son, J.C. Curtis of the Philippines, two sisters, Mrs. D.S. Girling and Miss P.W. Lea of Virginia, USA; four brothers, Nat Lea of Red Deer, Alberta; G.W. Lea of Victoria, B.C.; Gilbert Lea of Brandon, and E.H. Lea on the homestead, Fairbrook, Manitou.
Cremation took place at Victoria, B.C. following which internment was made at St. Lukes churchyard cemetery, Pembina Crossing on Wednesday the 5th September with the Rev. J.P. Folliott officiating at the committal service. Grahams Funeral Service was in charge of the burial.

SPECIAL THANKS to Felix G. Kuehn, of Winnipeg and formerly of the Curtis Ranche, Pembina Crossing, and also the
community publication: Come into our Heritage; A History of the Baldur Community and the R.M. of Argyle, 1981, for many of the details provided above.