Tributes to dad killed by falling tree

Mar 26 2007 By Leda Reynolds, Birmingham Mail

TRIBUTES have been paid to a father-of-two who was crushed to death by a falling tree.

 Neil Curtiss, aged 47, was killed instantly when the 60-feet oak tree fell on his pick-up truck in Old Warwick Road, Lapworth, at around 8.15am last Monday.

Mr Curtiss, who ran C Curtiss and Sons, a family timber merchants in Lapworth, was pronounced dead at the scene.

Today, colleagues paid tribute to their boss.

'We are all devastated by what's happened. It was such a freaky accident," said Richard Watson, sales manager at the timber yard. I'd known him for 20 years and everyone's in a state of shock.

"He was a great bloke to work for and we'd even nominated him for 'Boss of the Year' a few years ago.

"He was always dipping into his pockets for a worthy cause and gave money to Henley High School and Lapworth village school."

Mr Curtiss, a season ticket holder for Birmingham City FC, was also a staunch supporter of Lapworth Cricket Club and fixture secretary for Rowington Cricket Club.

"He was a jovial chap, had a dry wit and was well liked - everyone knew him around here," added Mr Watson. "He will be sadly missed."

Another colleague, Graham White, said: "You couldn't have met a nicer bloke."

Mr Curtiss, who lived in Lapworth, leaves a wife Helen, a 16-year-old daughter Esme and a 14-year-old son Callum. His funeral will be held at St Mary's Church, Lapworth, on Wednesday at 2.15pm.

Police are still investigating.