Saanich Mayor Frank Leonard sums up his late friend and mentor Hugh Curtis: “He really had Saanich in his blood.”
Curtis, who died Tuesday at age 81, was passionate about the municipality where he was first elected to council in 1961 as an alderman. He became reeve, a position later called mayor, in 1964 before leaving for the provincial arena in 1972. He was elected to the legislature as a Progressive Conservative, switching to Social Credit in 1974.
He was especially proud of the parks added in Saanich during his years on council, Leonard said.
Curtis joined Saanich council and served as mayor at a time when the municipality “blossomed,” Leonard said. For example, street lights came to Saanich and four recreation centres opened.
When Leonard was elected to Saanich council in 1986, Curtis was the first to call with congratulations.
“He gave me some advice right then and there. He said: ‘Take ownership of the small projects. The big projects, when and if you succeed, there’s always a long lineup of politicians to take credit for them. But if you want to really enjoy local government, take ownership of some small projects and see them through.’ ”
When Leonard mentors newly elected council members these days, he passes on that same advice, saying that’s the way to learn how government works.
“For the past 28 years, he continued to mentor me and give me advice,” he said.
He wasn’t alone. Curtis maintained many friendships over the years and took a keen interest in current events and in his family.
Hugh Curtis and son Dave Curtis met at Adrienne’s Tea Garden just two weeks ago where topics included the situation in Ukraine. Dave Curtis, president and CEO of Viking Air, spoke with his father almost every day.
Curtis was born with a deep melodious voice ideally suited to radio. He spent 15 years at CJVI and then moved to CFAX, becoming a minority owner with longtime friend Keith Dagg in 1965. Clare Copeland was the majority owner. They eventually sold their shares to Mel Cooper.
Dagg said Curtis played a major role in turning around the fortunes of CFAX, which had struggled financially. “He was an outstanding person to have at the radio station because he could do so many jobs.” Duties included commercial production, anchoring election coverage, sales and reading newscasts.
“He was one of those kind of guys who could do everything and that is what made him such a big part of building CFAX,” Dagg said.
By running for public office, Curtis followed the example of his father, Austin Curtis, who also spent 25 years in public life, as a Victoria alderman and school board member.
The number and variety of organizations and committees that Curtis led and supported is vast.
He was the first chairman of the Capital Regional District, was president of the David Foster Foundation and was involved with the Variety Club.
In recent years, Curtis was editor of the monthly newsletter for the Association of Former MLAs of B.C.
“That was almost completely Hugh,” said Brian Smith, a former Social Credit cabinet minister. Curtis was the organization’s secretary treasurer and a frequent visitor to B.C.’s legislature library, which he used for research.
Curtis served B.C. with distinction and dignity, said Finance Minister Michael de Jong in a statement.
“Curtis had the challenge of managing the province’s finances during the 1980s, a time of great restraint under Premier William Bennett. His strong leadership helped guide the province through tumultuous economic times.”
