Kurt Roland Bottoms Memorial and Repast Friday, September 20th, 11:00 am to 3:30 pm at 4422 US Highway 1 Palm Coast 32164Kurt Roland Bottoms came into the world on February 21, 1946, born to parents Clifford and Carmen almost a year after they were married. They settled into their lives together in Manhattan, N.Y., later moving to Brooklyn’s Marcy Projects where they spent most of his early childhood years
After his mother’s passing when he was 7, he relocated to Selma, Alabama with his father for a few years before moving into the Bertrand household in St. Albans, Queens, N.Y. He instantly became part of his Aunt Barbara and Uncle Charles’ family, and his two cousins, Donald and Michele, became his brother and sister. Later his father Cliff remarried his stepmother Amy and had three additional children, Jon, Marceau, and Barbara. Although they lived in Selma, he and his siblings maintained a close relationship.
Kurt attended P.S. 15, J.H.S. 59, and Andrew Jackson H.S. in Queens, NY, and continued his studies at Franklin & Marshall College. He entered the U.S. Marine Corps Reserves at the age of 20 and was discharged 6 years later.
Kurt embarked on his career with the NYPD in 1969 and dedicated 33 years of service to the city of New York, achieving the rank of Sergeant. He served in precincts all across the city, starting in Harlem, and then moving to Queens and other areas of Manhattan. Kurt was even chosen as the face of the NYPD for one of their recruitment campaigns. His years leading up to his retirement were spent in the Chief of Patrol’s Office, where his penchant for organization and eye for detail served them well.
Kurt met Patricia 3 months before he began working as a police officer. They met on the F train while en route to their jobs in Manhattan. According to Pat, “He took one look at me in my navy lace minidress and he was hooked”. They chatted all the way to 50th Street and 6th Avenue. When they parted, Kurt asked for her phone number, at which point Pat replied, “I’m in the book”. Kurt took the initiative and did look her up in the phone book. They went on a date in his 1969 red VW beetle to the bowling alley on Springfield Blvd. & Jamaica Ave., and the rest is history. Kurt and Pat enjoyed 53 wonderful years of marriage, 34 of those years spent in Queens, NY and the past 19 years in Palm Coast, FL. During that time, they have created many beautiful friendships with bonds that have lasted a lifetime.
After marriage, Kurt and Pat had three daughters who they adored – Jennifer born in 1975, Carmen in 1980, and Dana in 1981. Kurt was the true definition of a girl dad. Always teaching his daughters everything he knew without limiting them to traditional gender roles. His girls shoveled snow, mowed the lawn, played tennis and baseball, and were the only house of 3 girls that had a basketball hoop. In turn, he learned how to play double dutch, and was even a Girl Scout troop volunteer. He was an amazing Dad and his legacy is evident in his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchild.
After retirement, Kurt was never one to sit idle, when there was something more worthwhile to do. Always on the go, he was heavily involved in the African American Cultural Society and the Men of AACS. He enjoyed playing tennis and, more recently, pickleball, on a weekly basis. He loved music, especially The Spinners, The Temptations, Motown hits, Oldies but Goodies, and jazz. Kurt spent the rest of his time visiting with family and friends around the country and locally, and traveling the world with his wife.
Kurt left this earth on Thursday, September 12, 2024, and is survived by his wife, Patricia; his daughters, Jennifer (Victor) Bottoms of Rosedale, NY, Carmen (Arturo) Bottoms-Merchant of Rosedale, NY, and Dana (Andrew) James of Henderson, NV; his grandchildren, Stefawn, Sean, Roshane, Sydney, Bryce, Justin, Jordan and Chase; his great-grandson King; his siblings Donald, Michele, Jon, and Barbara; his aunts Una and Patricia; and a host of nieces, nephews and cousins.
Kurt was a one-of-a-kind individual and a true gentleman. He will forever live on in our hearts and through the treasured memories we all share.
