Obituary of Christopher Scott Curtiss

WEDGEFIELD - Christopher Scott Curtiss, age 39, of Wedgefield, South Carolina passed away on January 5, 2026, after a heroic lifetime battle with multiple disabilities.

He was born on November 24, 1986 and grew up in Sheffield, Massachuesetts. He led an uneventful life until just before his twelfth birthday, when he was diagnosed with an aggressive malignant brain tumor. He underwent surgery at Boston Children's Hospital, which successfully removed the tumor. He then underwent a long course of radiation and other therapy at Baystate Medical Center in Springfield, Massachusetts which was successful in preventing the cancer's return, but which had devastating physical consequences for the rest of his life. He lost all hearing in one ear and 70 percent in the other; his vision was greatly affected; his ability to balance himself was severely impacted; his short-term memory was impacted; he developed a serious thyroid deficiency, and he lost almost all of his hair.

Despite all this, he persevered through his school years, and graduated from Mr. Everett Regional High School in Sheffield with his original class in 2004. He badly wanted to work, but his disabilities were a formidable barrier. He finally was employed by the Berkshire CoOperative Food Market in Great Barrington, Massachusetts in 2008, a job he loved and worked at until 2013, when his family moved to South Carolina.

Chris lived there quietly with his parents until October 2025, when he suffered a stroke that paralyzed his right side and affected his ability to speak. He was undergoing therapy to treat this new obstacle until several days after Christmas, when he was hospitalized with heart failure, followed by loss of kidney function. He died a week later. He persevered all his life, but life was not fair to him.

Chris is survived by his parents, George and Cindy Curtiss, of Wedgefield, South Carolina, his sister, Holly Curtiss, of Lynchburg, South Carolina and her son, Logan Sheldon and daughter, Kadence Sheldon. He is also survived by numerous aunts, uncles and cousins in Berkshire County.

There will be no services at the family's request.

 

Online tributes may be sent to www.sumterfuneral.com

 

Final arrangements are being handled by Elmore Hill McCreight Funeral and Crematory 221 Broad Street,  Sumter, South Carolina (803) 775-9386.