Halifax veteran dies saving son, niece from rip current while on vacation in Florida – Boston News, Weather, Sports [Video]

KINGSTON, MASS. (WHDH) – A local family is mourning the loss of a husband and father who died while on vacation last week.

Josh Curtis, 38, of Halifax, died while saving his son and niece from a dangerous rip current off the coast of Fernandina Beach, Florida.

“It is with great pride and sadness that we say goodbye to a man that embodied what it means to be a soldier, father, husband, and ultimately a hero,” Curtis’ family said in a statement.

Lance Jones was walking nearby at the time, and said he saw the commotion in the water so he rushed in to help. He said he grabbed the young girl first.

“It sounded like the kids were out there playing, the rip current was pretty rough, and I think they got taken out a little bit further than they were comfortable,” Jones said. “[Curtis’ niece] was pretty exhausted, …