In Memory

Grant W. Kurtz

Grant W. Kurtz

Obituary of Grant Wilson Kurtz 

Grant Wilson Kurtz, 78, passed away on October 27, 2020 in Naples, FL.

Grant was born in Lancaster, Ohio, to a doctor and a nurse. His father became an anesthesiologist and moved his family to Grosse Pointe, Michigan. After graduating from Grosse Pointe high school, Grant went to Ohio Wesleyan University in Delaware, Ohio, where he met his wife of 55 years Christine Anderson Kurtz. He graduated in 1964 and taught junior high school math and science and coached three sports.

After their marriage in 1965, Grant and Chris moved to Marion, Ohio, where Grant was a stockbroker and then to Columbus, Ohio, so that Grant could begin to advance his career. In 1986 they moved to Hartford, Connecticut, where Grant joined the Advest Group management team eventually rising to Chairman-CEO. Grant retired in 2004 and he and Chris became full-time residents of Bonita Springs, Florida. They moved to Moorings Park at Grey Oaks in Naples in 2017.

Grant enjoyed many accomplishments in his life, some of those included holding roles as Business Conduct Committee and District Committee’s for the National Association of Securities Dealers, Regional Firms Committee and winner of the Chairman’s Award with the Securities Industry Association, Board of Directors for the Ohio Wesleyan University and the Boys and Girls Clubs of Hartford, the Connecticut Council on Economic Education, Chairman of campaign raising $27 million for the United Way and the President of the Connecticut River’s Council of the Boy Scouts of America.

Grant was an avid fan of the University of Michigan (Go Blue), a lifetime member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon, actively involved in many charitable organizations, and he was a loving father and husband. Grant was a joy to be around and made everyone feel like his “ol’ buddy”. He took great pleasure in the friendships and connections he made throughout his life. All will miss his generous spirit, his positive disposition, and his infectious laugh.

Grant is survived by his wife, Chris Kurtz, as well as his daughter, Kathleen Spiers (Robbie Spiers) and her two children Grant and Austin, and his daughter, Holly Kurtz (William Andrea) and her two children Astrid and Harry. He is also survived by his brothers, Harry Kurtz and Ted Kurtz and their wives and children. He was predeceased by his brother, Stan Kurtz.

Our family is grateful for the support and love we have received from all of Grant’s friends and devoted caregivers. A Celebration of Grant’s life will be held at Bower Chapel at Moorings Park in Naples, FL at a later date.

To honor his memory, please consider memorial contributions in Grant’s name to one of the following organizations: United Way of Lee, Hendry, Glades and Okeechobee, 7273 Concourse Dr., Fort Meyers, FL 33908 or Moorings Park Foundation, 120 Moorings Park Dr., Naples, FL 34105 or Ohio Weslyan University, 61 South Sandusky St. Advancement office, Delaware, OH 43015, 740-368-3315, advancement operations@owu.edu.

 

https://www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/naples-fl/grant-kurtz-9870072



 
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11/01/20 05:36 PM #12    

Michael W. Towson

Grant  Kurtz was the force that made Grosse Pointe Football a great experience for me. A Class act always and memorable team-mate ! 

MIKE TOWSON


11/03/20 08:32 AM #13    

George F. Oliver

Grant was always smiling and and upbeat no matter what the situation was. A great teammate and positive contributor on and off the football field. my heartfelt condolescences to Grants family.....


11/04/20 08:53 PM #14    

William C. Halbert

I was deeply saddened to hear of Grant's passing.  I have such great memories of Grant, as members of the track team and during our adult lives as stock brokers.  We had a lot in common and had many wonderful talks comparing professional notes and memories of days gone by.  He and Chris were generous Florida hosts. My heart goes out to Chris and their family.

Bill Halbert


11/04/20 10:42 PM #15    

Robert C. Waldeck

Grant was such a great guy! He will be greatly missed!    Bob Waldeck 


11/05/20 12:38 PM #16    

Holmes Brown

Chris,

 Like all our classmates, I am deeply sorrowed by the passing of Grant. He was a long-time and esteemed friend of our entire family.

 In high school, we would all cheer for him during football season, and in the Springtime, my mother and Mrs. Kurtz would attend all the track meets, home and away.

 For weekend invitational or regional meets, the relay teams would have breakfast at our house. Grant’s healthy appetite was always appreciated.

 He visited us one summer on the farm in Virginia and found rural life and hay rides a welcome change of pace.

 Hamilton and he were big fans of Huckleberry Hound and for senior year fashioned themselves the clever and mischievous mice, Pixie and Dixie.

 In college, I stayed with Grant at his fraternity house at Ohio Wesleyan for the Ohio State collegiate track meet. His fraternity brothers on the track team were not pleased he was hosting a rival competitor.

 As you’ve heard from others, Grant was one of the most admired and (I think the word is appropriate) cherished members of our class. He was so good-natured, approachable, sympathetic and intelligent that his presence would raise your spirits in all circumstances.

 With condolences  to you and the extended Kurtz family,

 Holmes


11/06/20 08:40 AM #17    

Janine Amorello (Scensny)

so sorry to hear of Grant's passing. 
confolences to the family. 
RIP Grant


11/06/20 10:55 AM #18    

Barbara Andrysiak (Roscoe)

A memorable photo of Grant taken by my husband at our 40th reunion.  I'll never forget how Grant proudly showed off this picture of his grandchild!  Our sympathy and prayers go out to his family.


11/10/20 04:33 PM #19    

Judith Bashara (Pleva)

 

Oh Grant, how I loved you.  You were my very first "crush".  We were in second grade at Tromply Elementary in GPP when I was invited to your house for lunch.  I have a picture in my mind of that happy time and am amazed that that memory has stuck with me over the years.  You were always the good guy in the group; no wonder that there are so many accolaids written on your memory.  May God bless your family in the knowledge that you are in a happy place.

Judy Bashare Pleva

 


03/03/21 07:27 PM #20    

Holmes Brown

 

This is a photo of the GPHS 880-yd relay team taken in the Spring of 1960. The members include from right to left Ron Harper, Grant Kurtz, Hamilton Brown and Holmes Brown. The photo was taken by a View Pointe staff person. Others of the track team, taken at the same time, were used in the 1960 year book. I found this one in my files.

 
Holmes Brown

03/22/21 05:55 PM #21    

Alan D. Lang

FUN PHOTO, THANKS FOR SHOWING--AL LANG


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