Bradley T. Curtis

It is with deep sadness that we share the passing of Marine Corps Gunnery Sgt. Bradley T. Curtis, 67, of Cedarburg. He fought multiple health challenges with bravery and tenacity, peacefully taking his final breath on Aug. 17, 2026.

Brad was a favorite of everyone – from co-workers to neighbors to nurses – known for his warm smile, kind eyes, patience and generous soul. It was all the more surprising, then, when people learned that Brad was a drill instructor in the U.S. Marine Corps. Not just any drill instructor, but a senior and later chief drill instructor. He was fierce and fearless, possessing a special kind of toughness that he expected of his recruits. He could be unrelenting in his command, and he had the stories to back it up. Surely his voice must haunt some to this day. But for every person he may have scared away from the Corps, there were many more who were shaped by his leadership and re-enlisted for another four years. He told recruits he was their “daddy away from home” and protected them as if they were his own children. At the holidays, Marines who didn’t have a place to go were welcomed to Gunny and his family’s home.

Brad was born to Rose and Will on June 10, 1959. He attended Milwaukee Public Schools until 1973, when the family moved to Green Lake to buy a bowling alley. Brad graduated from Green Lake High School in 1977. He enlisted in the Corps, first signing up and then informing his parents.

Brad was a utilities chief in charge of air conditioning and refrigeration units. He served in the Persian Gulf in support of Operation Desert Storm. Brad retired from the Corps in 1998. He was deeply proud of 20 years of service and what it meant to be a Marine.

It was a natural instinct for Brad to help others. He gave generously to charities each month. He couldn’t go to the grocery store without buying a bag of food to donate to a food pantry. He volunteered at a nursing home, pushing residents to bingo games, even when it hurt him to walk. One of the greatest ways to honor Brad’s memory is to continue the acts of kindness that were so important to him.

Brad is survived by his father, Will; daughter, Gina; brothers Robert, Douglas, Christopher (Nadia), William (Kathy) and Joseph (Kymm); sister, Lisa; and nieces, nephews and many dear and gracious friends, including former wives Teri and Sara.

He is preceded in death by his mother, Rose, and niece, Rachel Curtis.

A special thank you to Joel Gierach and Deb Reindl for all they did to bring extra smiles to Brad’s face over the past several years and months. Also thank you to Hannah Home Health Care, especially Ariel and Anna.

Brad's family wants the world to know what an exceptional facility the Clement J. Zablocki VA in Milwaukee is. He made his way through many departments over the years and was always treated with respect and extraordinary medical care. His final stay was in the ninth-floor palliative unit. We are profoundly grateful for the compassionate care he was given in his final months.

Visitation for Brad will be held from 11 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 29 at. St. Joseph Parish, 1619 Washington St. Grafton. A mass will begin at 1 p.m.

Memorials in Brad Curtis’ name may be made to:

Camp American Legion:  https://bit.ly/4zHiZVh or Family Sharing of Ozaukee County Food Bank: https://bit.ly/4cA3vZ6

Reporting for duty at Heaven's gate.