Major Curtiss (Curt) Usherwood, CD, RCAF (Retired)
Major Curtiss (Curt) Usherwood, CD, RCAF (Retired) passed away 14 April 2021.
Curt started his basic training Jan 1957. Curt graduated as a Teletype and Cypher Tech from No. 1 Radar and Communications School at RCAF Clinton in 1957. He was posted St Margerts NB and then 601 Telecommunications Sqn, 1 Canadian Air Division HQ Metz France. There he met and fell in love with Cecilia (Cec) Baudin, a Teletype Op.
Married, they had two children in France.
Posted back to Canada to 5 Communications Unit St Hubert. There Curt would have another child In 1968 His technical expertise was noted and he was posted as Teletype And Cypher instructor to CFSCE in Charlie Sqn. Curt’s leadership was recognized as a result he was CFR’ed.
Following training at CFOCS CFB Chiliwack Lt Usherwood CELE was posted CFS Holberg BC in 1971. Capt Usherwood loved Holberg so much he took a year extension. Next CFS Barrington in 1974. This was followed by Halifax Dockyard in CE as safety officer.
In 1979 he was posted as BTelo to CFB Shearwater. Then he was selected as CO 1 Line Troop 86-87 for what he considered the highlight of his career. This was followed by promotion to Major. AC2 Usherwood hoped in 1957 he might reach Flight Sergeant like his Dad. Now he returned to training as OC of Charlie Sqn CFSCE (88-89)where he had instructed two decades. It gave him great pleasure to be in charge of making future technicians. Curt last posting was 4 ATAF HQ Heidelberg.
This was reward to his wife for putting up with small radar site years before. His last posting was back to Canada and Jan 1994, Major Curtiss Usherwood retired.
Curt and Cec spent decades traveling until finally Curt’s dementia made it to hard. Cec was no longer able to care for Curt and in 2020 Curt moved to long term care. Curt and Cec were one month short of their 60th wedding anniversary. A few months ago Curt began failing. He was diagnosed with Multiple Myeloma 4 weeks ago. Curt passed peacefully with wife and daughter at his side. Another daughter joined by video. In the final moments Curt opened and his eyes and kissed the love of his life his wife Cecilia Usherwood.
Velox, versutus, vigilans