Curtis Fields, retired Northport – East Northport elementary teacher, passed away on June 28. Curt was pre-deceased by his wife Diane earlier this year. He is survived by his daughters Valerie M. Field and Beverly (Barry) Fielding and three grandchildren. 

Curt joined the United States Air Force as a pilot during the Korean Conflict in 1954. After retiring from the Air Force as a Captain in 1973 he earned a Masters in Education from Hofstra University. While teaching in the Northport schools we was a pioneer in outdoor education, earning fame for his “pollution field trips.” 

Curt was a brother of the Fraternal Order of the Matinecock Lodge in Oyster Bay and was an active participant in the lodges annal Oyster Fest Beer Garden. After retiring from teaching Curt became a  Real Estate agent in Syosset and a docent at The Cradle of Aviation Museum, where he most often could be found instructing future pilots on the flight simulators.

Visiting Tuesday 7-9 p.m. and Wednesday 2-4 p.m. at Whitting Funeral Home, 300 Glen Cove Avenue, Glen Head, NY 11545 (www.whitting.com). Funeral Service 10 a.m. Friday, July 5 at the funeral home, followed by burial at Calverton National Cemetery with Military Honors.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Cradle of Aviation Museum (www.cradleofaviation.org/), Honor Flight Long Island (honorflightlongisland.org/) or to Matinecock Lodge # 806 F.&A.M., 14 West Main St., Oyster Bay, NY 11771.