Curtis Dean Abbas, 68, died on Jan. 9, 2016, in a tree falling incident in the Matanuska Valley. A Celebration of Life will be held at the Eagle River Lions Club at Eagle River Road and Eagle River Loop Road in Eagle River, Alaska, on Jan. 15, 2016, at 4 p.m. All are welcome. His cremated remains will be scattered at the family's lake home in the Matanuska Valley. Curt was born on Oct. 9, 1947, in Montivedio, Minn., to Herbert and Grace Abbas. He served his country in the Navy during Vietnam, was a very active retiree out of the Local 302 operating engineers and continued his love for road construction at the Operators Apprenticeship School in Palmer, Alaska. After a long career building roads all over Alaska, he was seen as a man of integrity, mentor, encourager and natural leader to so many. He was a hard, but very loving man, husband, father, grandpa, uncle and friend. Most days you would find him smoking a good cigar on his cabin porch or lawn mower, thinking about new projects when he wasn't fishing, hunting, watching the drags or Nascar, helping his kids or playing with grandkids. Father of four, who enjoyed being outside, helping others and planning new ways to entertain the grandchildren at the cabin. He married Brenda Jo Abbas in 1970, and stuck by her side through thick and thin until she passed in 2006. He took joy in pushing people to their full potential, all that Alaska has to offer and being the Rock for his family and those around him. Never afraid to give advice, whether it was or wasn't what you wanted to hear. A proud father. He is survived by his children and their spouses, Rachel Rodriguez, Angela Olds, Janelle and Travis Cline and Vincent and Kiri Abbas; and 10 grandchildren, Madison, Carson, Jaclyn, Amada, Bailey, Macy, Mario, Sawyer, Gracie and Cassidy. He is also survived by his mother, Grace Abbas; brother and sister-in-law, Doug and Paula Abbas; brother-in-law, Paul Loew; and sister, Phyllis Abbas. He was preceded in death by his father, Herbert Abbas; wife, Brenda Abbas; and sister, Elaine Loew; and many other close friends.