Curtis Ingram Gracie, 82, of Salem, NH, died peacefully April 24, 2024, at Lawrence General Hospital, Lawrence, MA.

Curt was born in Wolfeboro, NH and lived in Barnstead, NH before moving to Atkinson, NH.  As a young boy in Atkinson, he grew up and was educated in Haverhill.  Curt graduated from Haverhill Trade School and  played on the Haverhill football team.  He shared many stories of the games; laughs with teammates and life lessons he learned on the gridiron and off during those early and formative years.  A fierce competitor, his teammates nicknamed him "Hurricane Gracie!"  Following graduation and his time in the Navy, Curt moved and became a resident of Salem, NH for over 50 years.  He saw Salem grow and had Salem Pride in his blood.

Curt was a proud US Navy veteran serving with the Seabees, the US Naval Construction forces.  He moved on to become a self-employed contractor and was one of the original members and past president of the Salem Contractors Association.  Curt took great pride in his work, framing and building, remembered every house he built, and had a story for every project.  He was incredibly proud of the work he was able to do contribute to the rebuild of Rockingham Race Track in the eighties.

A genius when it came to his trade, He could listen to what a customer wanted and then draw a plan on a napkin and create a masterpiece.  His customers often became his friends.  Curt always looked to help and teach others starting out in the world.  He worked with the high school vocational students and took students and graduates on as employees and apprentices.  He taught them his trade as others had taught him.  Curt was also an avid outdoorsman, enjoying fishing, hunting, snowmobiling, ice fishing, NASCAR, and the friendships they each brought.  He enjoyed building and racing cars and flying his helicopter to see the magic of the New Hampshire landscape and beyond from above.  Curt loved his work, activities, and toys and all that they brought to his life.  He was grateful for all of it. A strong and humble man with a kind heart.

Curt mostly loved his family and friends and deeply and cherished the time he spent with them.  His dog, Wrinkles, brought him nothing but joy!  He was positive, happy to see you, and willing to share and help others.  He worked hard, played hard, and loved profoundly.  He will be deeply missed and forever loved.

Curt is survived by his wife Constance "Connie" (Obert) Young Gracie of Salem, NH.

Children: Charlene Gracie of North Carolina, Christine and her husband Ronald Jenks III of North Carolina, and Curtis E. Gracie of Dorchester, NH.

Stepsons: Scott and his wife Karen Young of Bradford, MA, and Daniel and his wife Jennifer Young of Salem, NH.

Grandchildren: Chloe and Nikolas Anestis, Rhiannon Buchannan, Mercedes Clark, Katie Vance, and six great grandchildren.

Friends and relatives are invited to calling hours on Friday May 3rd from 5-8 PM at the Carrier Family Funeral Home, 38 Range Rd, Windham, NH.  A funeral Mass will be celebrated on Saturday, May 4th at 10 AM at St. Joseph Church, Salem, NH.  Burial will be at a later date at the NH State Veterans Cemetery, Boscawen, NH.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to: Greater Salem Contractors Association, 215 South Broadway, Suite 1, #154 Salem, NH 03079.

For directions or to send a message of condolence to the family, please visit www.carrierfuneralhome.com