Joseph Curby Obituary

Joseph G. Curby, departed on July 20th, 2025, at the remarkable age of 100. Joe was born on December 1st, 1924, in Del Norte, Colorado, to Joseph Jessie and Della Curby. He was one of five children, with siblings David, Gilbert, Ida, and Julia. Early in his life, he was raised by his Aunt Martha and Uncle on their 140-acre farm. At age eleven he had hours to live with typhoid fever, but his aunt hung a bag of onions next to his bed and his fever broke by the next morning. At nineteen, he worked for the Union Pacific Railroad for two years. Upon his return, he helped his aunt purchase a home in Fort Collins and dedicated the next 40 years to working in various grocery stores, including Red Owl and Thrifty Foods (known today as Beavers Market). In 1948, Joe married Maxine Findley, who had a son named Vergil. They shared 38 wonderful years together. In 1976, they successfully ran Al's NewsStand on College Avenue in Fort Collins for six years. Maxine passed away from cancer on September 15th, 1984. Joe later found love again and married Judith Kay Fisher on May 18th, 1985. Judy had three children Johnny, Janet, and Julia. Together, Joe and Judy embarked on many adventures, traveling extensively across the country by Amtrak and motorhome, and exploring the world, including Europe, England, Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Germany, and Canada. Joe also dedicated many years to serving with his wife Judy through the Concerned Senior Citizens of Colorado and the SHARE Colorado program, which distributed food to those in need. After a brief period in Sweethome, Oregon, they returned to Colorado, where Joe became a member of the Elks Lodge in Fort Collins. Judy passed away peacefully on September 5th, 2015. Joe cherished his family above all else and looked forward to any gathering, whether it was a birthday, wedding, or holiday. He was a proud grandfather to 10 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren. He also enjoyed playing Bingo, various card games, visiting casinos, tinkering in his wood shop, making jewelry, and fishing with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Joe is preceded in death by many family members, including both of his beloved wives, Maxine and Judy. A viewing for Joseph will be held today, Tuesday, July 29th, from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM at Kibbey-Fishburn Funeral Home, located at 1102 Lincoln Ave, Loveland, CO. A funeral service will take place on Wednesday, July 30th, at 11:00 AM at Rest Haven Memorial Gardens, 8426 US HWY 287, Fort Collins, CO. A burial service will follow the funeral, with a reception immediately afterward. Flowers and gifts can be sent to Kibby-Fishburn Funeral Home.