Southold Community Mourning Beloved Longtime Town Employee

SOUTHOLD, NY — The Southold community is mourning the death of a beloved friend and former town employee Tuesday night.

Curt Davids, former Southold Town Deputy Highway Superintendent, who retired in 2016 after working in the highway department for 31 years, died suddenly on Tuesday, Southold Town Police Chief Martin Flatley said.

Southold Town Highway Superintendent Vincent Orlando reflected on a man who was his colleague and friend.

"He was an amazing deputy for me for two years," he said. "He taught me so much, he had so much knowledge. He was a walking history book, a wealth of knowledge on the history of the highway department. He knew every snow fence, where all the drains were hidden."

Orlando paused. "I used to joke, 'You can put your papers in for retirement but I'm not going to sign them.' I missed him when he retired. He wanted to go and enjoy life. I hope he did."

Southold Town Supervisor Scott Russell added, "Curt dedicated years of his life to the people of Southold. His institutional knowledge was invaluable and his work ethic set an example for us all. This is a devastating loss for this community."

Flatley said the cause of death has not yet been determined.

Funeral arrangements will follow.