Curtis Perrin Rome, Jr.

Curtis P. Rome, Jr. passed away peacefully at the age of 90 on the 14th of June, 2024 in New Orleans, Louisiana surrounded by his family who were the light and loves of his life. He is survived by his beloved wife of 66 years, Olga Nicaud Seiferth Rome, their five children, Elizabeth Rome LaBarre (Scott), Curtis Perrin Rome III (Mary Grace), Lydia Rome Steele (Kenneth), Charles Stuart Rome (Siobhan) and Yvette Rome Stouse (Paul); ten grandchildren, Lisette (Jack), Callee, Addy, Curt, Conlan (Jack), Stuart, Emery, Madeleine, Ella and Jean Paul. He is fondly called “Daddy Curt” by his children and grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents Curtis P. Rome, Sr. and Henriette Durslen Rome as well as his four sisters: Shirley Burbank (Fortune’), Dorothy Traylor (Deampert), Martha Wilson (Donald) and Gwendolyn Caples (Robert). A native of New Orleans, Curtis graduated from Jesuit High School, Loyola University and Kansas University.

He proudly served his country as a commission to Second Lieutenant, later being promoted to First Lieutenant while serving in the Army Reserves. He was President and CEO of the Rowley Group and several other Louisiana Corporations. He was President of the National School Supply and Equipment Association (NSSEA).

An active alumnus of Jesuit High School and Loyola University, he was chairman of the Jesuit Corporate Board, Chairman of the Parent’s Annual Giving Drive and Alumni Giving. He was also Chairman of the President’s Advisory Council and President of the Blue Jay Parent’s Club. He founded the tremendously successful Annual Giving Drive Telethon which many other schools in the area incorporated into their fundraising programs. Curtis was extremely proud of his two sons, Perrin and Stuart, his grandson, Curt, and son-in-law, Paul as Jesuit graduates. He was named Alumnus of the year and celebrated in the Jesuit High School Hall of Honors. Curtis enjoyed his involvement in his daughters’ Alma Maters, The Academy of the Sacred Heart and Mercy Academy including the spearheading of fundraising activities and holding various positions throughout the years. At Loyola, he was a member of the Alumni Board, Co-chairman of the Scholarship Selection Committee, and involved in all major fundraising campaigns for several years. He also received the Adjutor Hominum award. Curtis received the Order of St. Louis Medallion given for exemplary service to the Church.

Curtis was past President of both the Metairie Country Club and the Audubon Golf Club, President and Chairman of the Freeport-McMoRan Golf Classic (now called the Fore/Kids-Zurich Classic), Chairman of the Juvenile Diabetes Golf Classic for 14 years, Co-chairman of the Scholarship Selection Committee, Chairman of the Chamber of Commerce Education Committee, and President of the Carrollton Boosters Youth Organization. He was a lifetime member of the Southern Yacht Club (over 60 years). He was a lifetime member of Blue Key National Honor Fraternity, Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia, and Alpha Delta Gamma National Catholic Fraternities. He was chosen as one of the 12 outstanding activists in New Orleans by the St. Elizabeth’s Guild. He was President of the Society of the War of 1812 and a member of several Carnival Organizations.

Curtis was an accomplished musician, composer, arranger, and conductor. As director of HNJ choir he conducted Dubois’ Seven Last Words which was performed in HNJ Church with members of the New Orleans Symphony. It was performed to a standing room only audience. Members of other faiths commented that “It was the greatest Ecumenical movement in the City of New Orleans.” Curtis also played in the New Orleans Opera Orchestra.

For many years, Curtis directed the highly revered Christmas Midnight Mass at Holy Name of Jesus Church and for several years at the Jesuit Church of the Immaculate Conception and the Notre Dame Seminary.

Curtis’ family wishes to express deep appreciation to his devoted caregivers, Pam, Robert, and Charle Schmidt. They would also like to thank his team of doctors including Dr. Anthony Lama, who extended Curtis’ lifespan by many years and his caring assistant, Rebecca, Drs. Nathan Fischman, Owen Mogabgab, Sunetta Gangi, Ronald Fiore, and Keith Luper. The family is also grateful for the many caregivers of Covenant Home Health, Eydie Acosta, RN, Ryan Tesch, PT, and dear Courtney, CNA.

Relatives and friends of the family are invited to attend the memorial Mass at Holy Name of Jesus Church, 6367 St. Charles Avenue, on Monday, June 24, 2024. Visitation will be at the Church beginning at 10:00 AM followed by Mass at noon. Memorial donations preferred to: Jesuit High School, 4133 Banks Street, New Orleans, LA 70119, Holy Name of Jesus Church, 6367 St. Charles Avenue, New Orleans, 70118, The Religious of the Sacred Heart, 13644 Conway Road, St. Louis, Missouri 63141 or St. Michael’s Special School, 1522 Chippewa Street, New Orleans, LA 70130.