The Life of FRANK S. CURTO
Mr. Curto, as chief horticulturist for the City of Pittsburgh, attained international prominence in his profession and was known as Pittsburgh’s “Mr. Flower Man.” Mr. Curto was in charge of the Phipps Conservatory, and the Aviary gardens on the North Side.His career with the city spanned 35 years from 1935 to 1970. His interest in horticulture was born from his admiration for his father, Sylvester Curto, a landscape contractor. He prepared himself for his lifework by earning a Master of Science degree in ornamental horticulture at Ohio State University. He shared his devotion to the world of gardens with the public through radio and television lectures for many years which gained him numerous friends and a reputation among his peers as a “pro’s pro.”For many years he gave lectures to garden clubs nation-wide and taught horticulture in adult education classes at Carnegie Institute and Buhl Planetarium. According to his family, Mr. Curto chose The Homewood Cemetery for his burial place because of many pleasant memories of his youth spent ice skating on the pond and playing on the grounds. Mr. Curto was the uncle of the former Mayor of Pittsburgh, Richard Caliguiri.ipped to house