J. Michael Curto of Williamsburg, Va., a former Manalapan mayor and town commissioner, died Monday, May 19, 2008. He was 93.
Mr. Curto was born Aug. 3, 1914, in Latrobe, Pa. He graduated from Kiski Preparatory School, Princeton University and the advanced management program at Harvard Business School.
He spent his entire business career with the U.S. Steel Corp., now USX, except for 1943 to 1946 when he served as a lieutenant in the U.S. Navy. He retired as senior vice president of Sales and Commercial. He was chairman of the sales committee of the American Iron and Steel Institute, appearing before Congressional committees in Washington as a spokesman for the industry. In 1978, he was included in Robert Shook's book, Ten Greatest Salespersons: What They Say About Selling.
In 1979, Mr. Curto retired to Florida. Curto served on the Town Commission from 1982-91, including his tenure as town mayor from 1984-88. In 1981, he served on the Code Enforcement Board.
Manalapan Town Commissioner Peter Blum, who was mayor when Curto was commissioner and a commissioner when Curto was mayor, said "he was a very nice person, very level-headed. He was a good neighbor, and he did a lot for this town." Mr. Curto was on the commission when Manalapan built its new town hall and he worked "to keep it a nice, friendly small town and not too commercial."
Betty Miller, town clerk from 1987-2000, called Mr. Curto a very giving person.
"He worked hard in nonprofit associations that helped other people. He was a good leader," she said.
Mr. Curto was a member of the Pine Valley Golf Club in New Jersey, the Princeton Club of New York and the Sailfish and Everglades clubs.
He moved to Williamsburg in 2001.
Mr. Curto is survived by his wife of 67 years, Marylou Curto; a son, Thomas Curto, and his wife, Tomoko, of San Francisco; a daughter, Christine Tullo, and her husband, Bruce, of Williamsburg; five grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.
A memorial service will be held later in Williamsburg. Memorials may be made to the charity of one's choice. Nelsen Funeral Home, Williamsburg, Va., handled arrangements.
