Artist, film-maker, raconteur, Curtis James Crawford, has died on April 27, 2024.
Born to Glenn and Gail Crawford in Belleville, Ontario on July 31, 1957. Curtis demonstrated an early aptitude for art, particularly cartooning, which eventually led to a successful career in animation and film-making.
Curtis studied classical animation at Sheridan College in Oakville where he also played for the Bruins varsity men’s basketball team. He was known to take a hard foul. Or two.
Curtis and Anne were married in Lakefield in 1989 and together raised three outstanding children — Joseph, Anthony and Elise — of whom Curtis was immensely proud. He was a loving, supportive, protective and generous father. His family came first.
Curtis went on to supervise major animation projects in Tokyo, Seoul and New York City. His foray into film-making proved equally rewarding, successful and impactful.
Curtis was an avid rugby player, starting in 1977 with his hometown club — the Belleville Bulldogs — and leading to a long association with the Ottawa Bytown Blues for whom he was, at various times, player, choir master, president, committee member, sponsor. Through rugby, Curtis developed and nurtured lifelong friendships. If Curtis Crawford was your friend, you had a friend you could count on. For life.
Curtis was a voracious reader and loved to travel. He was practically unbeatable in contests of trivia. His staunch backing of the Pittsburgh Steelers started in high school and remained unwavering throughout his life. Curtis was also a lifelong fan of the Chicago Blackhawks. And, he wished the Montreal Expos had never left Canada.
Curtis revelled in the company of family and friends. He enjoyed a good steak, a fine cigar, a glass of wine, a favourite old rugby song and a good laugh. Always a few great stories.
His was, truly, a life well-lived. And Curtis will be truly missed by those who loved him. As his favourite musician, Neil Young, would say “Peace and Love”.
Safe journey, “Big Gorn.” Skén:nen –“peace and serenity” in Kanien'kéha (Mohawk)
Celebration of life to be held on Sunday, June 16th 1 – 4 pm at 1035 Bank Street Ottawa- Second Floor.
Digital Guestbook
Mary, Quentin, Laura, and Jeff Gall
Mark Edwards
A vivid, loving, funny tribute. Thank you for that. All I can hear now is the sound of his voice in my head. Curt was a character - someone i was always glad to see in the room; a man who never, ever ran out of great stories!
John Ruff
A True blue in everything! You will be missed.
Advance Curtis!
Danny Morrison
Words cannot describe the loss when a person like Curtis passes. Met you in Kindergarten class at Prince Charles Public School in the west end of Belleville. From then until this day, you were always one of my favourite friends. RIP buddy. My sincere condolences to his family and friends.
Steve spaz williams
I just can’t believe this. He was a great guy
Anne Kalil
Dear Anne, family and friends.
My deepest sympathies to you all. Your tribute captured Cutis’s essence. Larger than life! Always a story and such a great laugh. A kind man who was very well loved. Thinking of you.
Mary Grainger
Our family sends our sincere condolences to you all. Curtis was great on the hockey bench, positive, funny and encouraging. Actually he was like that with the hockey parents as well 🙂. We have many fond memories of Curtis.
Glenn Wright
So sad to hear of the passing of Curtis. I have fond memories of working with Curtis back in the early traditional animation days in Ottawa and playing many ball hockey games with him. My condolences to the Crawford family. Glenn Wright ( Kanata )
Paul Edwards
… Curtis was always a very positive person, with a great sense of humour. I played rugby with Curtis for years on the Belleville Bulldogs. and didn’t realize until the halsey family reunion (so many years ago (20+)) that we were actually related! My deepest sympathies, he was a really great guy and will be missed.
Philip Stall
So sorry to hear of his passing . I worked with Curtis on numerous movies and enjoyed every moment . He will be missed .
May his memory be a blessing .
Anne, Elise, Joe, and Tony, We all send our deepest condolences to each of you and to everyone else who loved him. We are thinking of all the years when Jeff and Tony could rely on Curtis to be there as they grew from boys to men. Our thoughts are with you all. Mary, Quentin, Laura, and Jeff Gall