I write this with a heavy heart. Curtis wasn't just someone I worked with for years, but someone I looked at as a friend. Every time I worked with him, I knew it was going to be a fun shift. He brought such positive energy and made the hard days better for everyone. My thoughts are with you and all who were fortunate enough to know Curtis during this difficult time.

I was deeply saddened to hear today about the passing of My dear friend Curtis. Please accept my heartfelt condolences during this difficult time.

Curtis, Kur-tii, Cu-jo, Kurt McGirt.!

I find it hard to write this,, I find it hard to think of you leaving us.. leaving way too young.. we grew apart, and i always hoped we’d find our way back.. we started our cooking path together at sait and continued it to river, divino, wildwood, saltlik, and shiva.. crushing the Friday/ Saturday night rush like it was nothing

we also began our young adult lives together. whether we were sharing a pint, catching a vibe, playing video games, watching a good or crappy flick, snowboarding, or just sitting in a park day and night laughing.. all our adventures were fun,, all our time together was full of smiles.. we were young stress free and happy.. i miss you kid,, I have nothing but love for you, I will always think of you and our times together.. I am so sorry you did not get a chance to meet my children., I was trying to think of a way to make that happen.. I wish you were still here, with your addictive laugh.. I wish you peace in your next journey and hope to see you again

Curtis, what can I say? I am heartbroken I will never get to see you again and tell you how much I love you and how important you are. This last week I have been looking back on our times together.

The water-gun fights with Peter and Colin and how we had to be the "P" and the "C" teams. How I always wanted to be like you and have to do the same things as you, whether you wanted me to or not. Getting the same shirt when visiting Salt Lake City, after you told me not to comes to mind.

Some of my favorite memories are playing Lego, you trying to teach me how to skateboard (and failing), sledding on the big hill behind the house, watching Ninja Turtles and Mad Max, protecting me when that scary guy was following us to school and making me feel calm, teaching me that 9x9=81, how to make 3D shapes with playdough and toothpicks, both disliking food at some of the family events, teaching me how to draw Bart Simpson looking over a fence on the window in the condensation, the gingerbread house we made at Grandma's but couldn't eat, and how when we had to do the dishes, that you always washed, even if it was my turn. Still not sure how you managed that.

I am sad we grew apart, but I always thought we would find our way together again. Rest easy, you are always in our hearts and thoughts. Love you.

My heart goes out to Curtis’s family, he was taken from us far too early.

Although I only knew Curtis for a short while back in 06/07 when we worked together at the WildWood in Calgary he quickly became a true friend. Whether up a mountain, in the kitchen or chilling with a pint the passion and joy for life he had was always evident. Curtis was and will always be a friend who I hold close to my heart. May his final run be on a freshly wax board on mountain full of powder (like that time up Lake Louise).

Curtis, you were such a genuine person and we shared many laughs. Although it’s been a long time, I’ve thought of you often. Thank you for all the great memories and times you uplifted those around you. You always wanted everyone to succeed and be happy. You will be missed.

I had the pleasure to work with you for two or so years. I started out as a dishpit guy and worked my way up the line. You taught me a lot of fundamentals of cooking and technique in my early years of cooking. You were a great teacher. You probably didnt realize how big of an impact you made on me and many others, heck you may not even remember me. But yeah for the first years of cooking having someone there to teach you these valuable skills you'll be remembered for that. You were one of my chefs at the time but you made us feel equal if that makes sense. Thank you for the service Curtis wish we could have worked together again, 7 or 8 years later ive learned a lot since then think you would be proud. 86 chef rest easy brother.

Also still have dreams of the staff meals you made. Random pot pies or chicken enchiladas or grilled cheese sandwich burgers you delivered

A thought to all from Curtis's Parents, Jon & Linda

As Linda and I were driving to the funeral home to start the process of his memorial, the radio was on and considering where our thoughts were at that time, it was more background noise than actual listening. The Foo Fighters song ‘The Glass’ was playing. Even though we had heard the song many times and was aware it was a tribute from David Grohl to the loss of his drummer, Taylor Hawkins, we were stunned by the opening lines and by the relevance of it to the loss of our son.

We started listening intently to the rest of the song and was grateful for how well it captured the pain of the sudden loss of a loved one. We will never listen to that song again without thinking of Curtis.

Great writers have a way of saying things, especially feelings, that we sometimes cannot put into words ourselves. We wanted to share the lyrics with all of you in the hopes that it helps you to verbalize the tragic loss of our beloved son.

The Glass by David Grohl

I had a vision of you, and just like that

I was left to live without it, left to live without it

I found a version of love, and just like that

I was left to live without it, left to live without it

Waitin' for this storm to pass

Waitin' on this side of the glass

But I see my reflection in you, see your reflection in me

How could it be? How could it be?

There is somethin' between us

Between me and you

There is somethin' between us

I see right through, I see right through

I had a version of home, and just like that

I was left to live without it, left to live without it

I had a person I loved, and just like that

I was left to live without him, left to live without him

Waitin' for the storm to pass

Waitin' on this side of the glass

But I see my reflection in you, see your reflection in me

How can it be? How can it be?

There is somethin' between us

Between me and you

There is somethin' between us

I see right through, I see right through

I had a vision of you, and just like that

I was left to live without it, left to live without it

Waitin' on this side of the glass

Curtis James you are one of a kind!! We shared many laughs and up and downs in the kitchen you are an OG and well deeply be missed ❤️❤️ fly high

I worked with Curtis for a number of years. He was one of the most talented people I have ever been around, and managed to make the most difficult tasks seem like easy jobs. His smile and laugh was infectious through even the most challenging dinner services while in the deepest of the weeds.

Thanks for everything Cujo. Gone too soon, but your imprint will remain on everyone you ever knew.

I'm so very sorry for your loss, Curtis is a great man and friend. I've had the pleasure of working with him at so many different restaurants over 20 years. Our paths would always cross, and we would always just pick up where we left off. He was always so generous and kind with his time. Also made the best fried chicken. Lol You will truly be missed. Your friend Sam

I'm going to forever miss his infectious laughter, the way he made even the worst days seem not so bad. When I thought the world was against me, I knew he was on my side. I looked up to him and will always have the utmost respect for him. Thank you for being my chef, mentor, and most of all my friend. Rest easy chef, thank you for everything.

Curtis always made bad days better. His laugh filled me with joy. The jokes we shared in the kitchen, the advice and knowledge he gave me will never be forgotten. To say he was hardworking is simply an understatement. I looked up to him, he was a brotherly figure, someone who I could rely on and trust. He was more than a colleague, or my chef, he was like family. RIP Curtis Cunningham ❤️