Passing of Curtis history teacher, Mr. Latourette
Last week, Mr. Ed Latourette, a beloved Curtis history teacher, passed away. According to a GoFundMe page set up for his family, the cause was Covid-19. School closures mean that students and faculty alike do not have the opportunity to grieve this loss together, as a community. Even for those of us who did not know Mr. Latourette personally, his passing hits close to home at what is a certainly scary time. An official obituary is to follow this post, but until then, we send our condolences to Mr. Latourette’s family, friends, and students.
Carol Smaldino • Jun 27, 2020 at 12:21 am
I just want to say I’m so moved by the whole article and all the writing by so many people. The student comments are so amazing; this man was truly a gem, and one feels it through the words. There is so much feeling here.
Thank you so much for sharing this love, all of you.
Anasia Smith • May 5, 2020 at 12:52 pm
When I first got the email about this, I thought it was a joke. I can’t believe this happened. He was a really good teacher. He always had a good story to tell, wether it corresponded to the lesson or not. This made his class fun and interesting.
Ife Damon • May 1, 2020 at 1:44 pm
My prayers and condolences to the family. May the sweet memories comfort you during this difficult time.
Fellow Warrior,
Ife Damon
Dulce • Apr 30, 2020 at 4:06 pm
Im sad to hear about his passing, he was a good teacher made learning very interesting and Fun at times , let us kids speak our minds in class. You would be missed dearly.
Nicole • Apr 30, 2020 at 1:09 pm
It’s sad to hear that we’ve lost another dear and loving member in our community, condolences to his family and may he rest in peace.
Aida • Apr 30, 2020 at 12:08 pm
Very sad to hear, he was an amazing teacher. May he Rest In Peace. My condolences to his family.
Former student, Aida.
Tina Barone • Apr 30, 2020 at 10:53 am
Ed was a kind man and my dear friend’s husband. He was funny and thoughtful! He loved his family, Stefanie and Ella so much!
The world and the Curtis community lost a truly wonderful soul.
Always a Warrior!
Tina Barone, Class of 1996
Anne Urban-Rahn • Apr 30, 2020 at 10:16 am
I am heartbroken over this. Ed and I have been friends for a long time and share many memories. We were both Early birds and competed to see who got the better parking spot in the morning. Then I would tease him if I got the better spot! We frequently walked from our cars into school in the morning and had many great conversations. When we still had trailers at Curtis, Ed would come to my office and we would walk out together. I am especially going to miss him yell, “Raaaahn” in his bad William Shatner impersonation. His wife and daughter are in my prayers.
Jasmine❤️ • Apr 30, 2020 at 2:24 am
Rip mr Latourette you will always be a warrior and it’s sad to see u gone even though I didn’t know you personally your name will always be carried through the halls of Curtis S.I.P Mr.L???
Donald Pierce • Apr 30, 2020 at 1:02 am
Wow I still can’t believe your gone. My good friend and lunch buddy. It just seams like yesterday we were sitting in room 309 trying to make up lesson plans on google classroom. We team taught together and over the years became friends. You will be missed. My thoughts and prayers go out to your family during this very difficult time.
Karina Ruiz • Apr 29, 2020 at 11:08 pm
He was a really cool teacher. He will be missed! May he Rest In Peace
????
Nasir Brown • Apr 29, 2020 at 7:48 pm
I’ve never seen knew you personally, but Rest In Peace. We lost another Warriors, let our pride carry on your name.
Jose Montoya • Apr 29, 2020 at 7:42 pm
So sad he really was a down to earth teacher always my heart is broken may he Rest In Peace one of of the real ones and funniest teachers ???❤️❤️❤️❤️
Patricia • Apr 29, 2020 at 7:37 pm
Mr.Latourette was my history teacher in 10th/11th grade. He was so cool and hilarious and always did his best to help his students. He would jokingly pose behind other students when they were taking a selfie and would say “say F!” But of course it was all fun and games ♡ I can’t believe hes gone now my heart goes out for his family… rest in paradise Mr.L
You were one cool dude!
kamira braxton . • Apr 29, 2020 at 7:31 pm
im so sorry , sleep in peace ?? .
Zaniya Lamar • Apr 29, 2020 at 7:29 pm
I never had you as a teacher but I’ve seen you around in Curtis May you RIP ?-Junior Student Zaniya Lamar
jaylenee alexandra . • Apr 29, 2020 at 7:29 pm
i don’t even know where to begin. I’m broken ? . I was never expecting this. soon as I got the email about you, I’m telling you I did nothing but cry. You were such a great teacher !!! you always told me I’d do so much better sophomore year and; I did . you were always a big help in class. you had an amazing spirit man ? . many many condolences to the family. you will forever be missed ☝? . I promise to continue being the great student you always said I was !! rest in peace Mr. Latourette, you out of all people didn’t deserve this ?? .
Stephanie McNulty-Flagello • Apr 29, 2020 at 7:26 pm
May Ed rest in peace. May God watch over his wife and daughter. My condolences to his family. Curtis High School has lost a Warrior!
Avonte • Apr 29, 2020 at 7:24 pm
To be honest, that’s crazy. I had class with him last year, he was always there and a chill teacher. Hearing this about it took me by surprise. Rest In Peace ?
Tom Farrell • Apr 29, 2020 at 7:15 pm
My condolences go out to Ed and his family, who he loved very much. Curtis lost a real gentleman. I will miss laughing and joking with him in the morning as we got ready for the day.
Howard Schneider • Apr 29, 2020 at 6:31 pm
The only thing I can say about Ed is that I considered him a friend. He will be sorely missed. My prayers go out this his family.
ana cortes • Apr 29, 2020 at 6:10 pm
I can’t believe that one of my favorite teachers has passed away. he was one of the teachers who made a great impact on my learning education and has also been to many other students. He will always be alive in our memories and heart and his wise words will always stick by me as a legendary teacher. Being in his class was a great honor and I know that many will miss him being around but we all know that he will now be at peace and that I wish the best for his family and loved ones.
Ben Davis • Apr 29, 2020 at 5:34 pm
Ed had a great character and very kind way about him. He always had a way of making other people around him feel comfortable by lightening the mood with a joke or a way of shrugging off the stresses of life by focusing on the simple things that matter. This is true wisdom and something often forgotten in the way that we live our lives. He was a great guy who loved being a teacher and being around his colleagues in the Curtis community. His joyful spirit will be missed. May he rest in eternal peace.
Cristal Gracidas • Apr 29, 2020 at 5:02 pm
He was my freshman history teacher and he was always so nice and funny . If we needed help he would always try to help us . It’s sad to know he’s not here with us anymore but my prayers goes out to all the people that know him. RIP Mr. Latourette, you will always be a Warrior. Once a Warrior, Always a Warrior ‼️ – Senior student Cristal Gracidas ❤️
Arleth Aguilar • Apr 29, 2020 at 4:52 pm
May you rest in peace ?? you were a great teacher and and a kind man, I remember seeing you in the hallways and saying hi Mr. Latourette! And I almost never greeted teachers in the hallways. Sending my condolences to his friends and family.
Maria Santos • Apr 29, 2020 at 4:47 pm
NOOOOO you were my most favorite teacher ???❤️I’m so sad ! I’m gonna keep our memories always ?From my Freshman To Soph. Year , you always made me laugh. And I know I made you laugh to with my jokes . You will be missed !!!!
Diane Isaac • Apr 29, 2020 at 4:33 pm
Ed has been my colleague and friend for 17 years. I could always count on him to be a soundboard for my thoughts. Whether I was happy or not, he was always patient, kind, and really funny. Ed was a trustworthy person; nothing said in confidence was ever repeated. We were lunch buddies every year that we had the same schedule. This past September I even got the same lunchbox as his…only the pink version. I was able to celebrate his marriage to his wife Stefanie by attending his wedding; a lot of us did, and what a joyful celebration it was. And when he and his wife were expecting their baby girl, I along with the 315 crew waited with prayerful and hopeful anticipation of her birth. She’s the spitting image of him. I will miss his chivalry and his peaceful demeanor, I will miss our squabbles over his not liking vegetables, waiting for him to take the elevator down from the 4th floor, and I will miss sharing Kitkat bars at lunchtime. Ed was humble and straight forward, kind and respectful. Returning to Curtis will not be the same without him.
Faith Walker • Apr 29, 2020 at 4:13 pm
My Prayers to the Family and all who have known this beautiful person.
Warrior Strong #classof2018
Jasmine Elvir • Apr 29, 2020 at 4:08 pm
Wow, I’m at a loss for words ? He put up with me my freshman and sophomore year. He passed me and saw potential in me ? He will always be missed. RIP TO THE BRAVEST WARRIOR❤️? Once a Warrior, Always a Warrior ‼️
Michael Leto • Apr 29, 2020 at 4:04 pm
My Condolences to his Family and Colleagues,
whom he Shared the Love of Life and Learning each day.
May He Rest In Peace
Michael Leto
Class of 1995
Warrior Strong
Christina Caccese • Apr 29, 2020 at 3:47 pm
I worked down the hall from Ed, and the history dept. for years. So sorry for your loss. Knowing how much he was loved will make those close to him feel better as time goes on. Please accept my sincerest sympathy❤️ Chris Caccese
Aliyah • Apr 29, 2020 at 3:45 pm
You used to always yell at me for having my phone out and talking during class ?, but you were so nice regardless of that. So funny too. This is sad and i send my condolences to his family and pray they get through this hard time with the most strength . RIP Mr. Latourette ?? – Former Student Aliyah❤️
Diana Callahan • Apr 29, 2020 at 3:13 pm
Ed was the greatest friend you could ever ask for – truly irreplaceable. Always happy and you could always count on him.
Debbi Russo Murphy • Apr 29, 2020 at 3:03 pm
I worked with Ed for more than 20 years at John Jay High School as well as Curtis High School. He was a gentleman who always had a smile and a nice word for everyone. We shared classroom 221 the last year before I retired and had many interesting conversations. I was very happy for him when he told me that he and his wife were expecting a child. He had waited so long for this blessing.
It is with great sadness that we must mourn his loss to this terrible virus. Ed will be missed by all who knew him. My most sincere condolences go out to his family, friends, colleagues, and students. Ed will forever be a Warrior.
Roman • Apr 29, 2020 at 2:41 pm
May you RIP. So sad when I heard the news. Every morning we shook hands and said let’s hope today is better than yesterday. Great guy always smiling and funny. You’ll be missed.
Michael espinal • Apr 29, 2020 at 2:12 pm
Dam I still can’t believe we lost one good funny teacher I remember you used to be chill, always had to put up with me. Man I would always say hi to you always go up to you with a handshake. You told me, yo do better in sophomore year in the beginning of the year. I still can’t believe that now you’re gone it’s just sad and shocking that we use to be cool and always talk and now that you’re gone it’s just sad my prayers go out to you’re kids and you’re family may you Rest In Peace? From mickey?
David Samuel Garvin • Apr 29, 2020 at 11:26 am
The Curtis community has lost a great Warrior.
Editor • Apr 29, 2020 at 11:19 am
So sad. We will really miss you. You will always be a Warrior.