07/30/2026
Jonathan Curnow, age 40, unexpectedly traded his apron for a pair of angel wings on June 30th, 2026. While our hearts are completely shattered, we are fairly certain Jonathan is already in heaven trying to convince the angels that everything bagel seasoning fixes, well everything and that standard volume controls do not apply to good music, especially Eminem.
Jonathan’s absolute greatest achievement, pride, and joy was his family. He spent the last 15 years thoroughly annoying his wife, Amanda. He loved her fiercely, listened to her mostly, and spent every day trying to convince her that he was the better-looking half of A&J’s Bakery. Together, they wrangled their five chaotic, beautiful children, who inherited Jonathan’s infectious smile, his big heart, and his complete inability to put a lid back on a container properly. He was the ultimate dad—the kind who would drop everything to build a fort, taste-test a questionable pie, or act as a human jungle gym.
As the "J" in A&J’s Bakery, Jonathan poured his soul into feeding his community. He firmly believed that calories didn't count if the food was made with love, though his personal food pyramid was built entirely on a solid foundation of BBQ. If Jonathan was missing, you could usually find him standing over a smoker, covered in dry rub or defending his secret sauce recipes like they were state secrets.
But Jonathan didn't just feed the community; he moved with it. He never met a dance floor, a community festival, or a grocery store aisle he couldn’t turn into a stage. His dance moves were legendary—not necessarily for their technical accuracy, but for the sheer, unadulterated joy (and mild embarrassment to his kids) he brought to every step. He danced through life with a generosity that knew no bounds and a laugh that could clear a room of any sadness.
Life without Jonathan’s giant hugs, his flour-dusted shirts, and his terrible dad jokes will be terribly quiet. But the legacy of his kindness, his love for Amanda and the kids, and the community he built will live on every time we fire up the grill, bake a tray of pastries, or dance like nobody—or everybody—is watching.
Jonathan is survived by his adoring wife, Amanda; their five incredible children, Riley, Hunter, Mason, Peyton and Addyson (if you know their nicknames you know why I couldn’t list those); his loving parents Vicki and Gary; his older brother Christopher; a community that will miss him dearly; and an impressive collection of BBQ utensils that we still don't know where to store.
The celebration of life for this truly wonderful man will be held on August 15th, starting at 3:00pm at the beautiful Quincy Junction Barn and we invite the community to come out and celebrate his life and legacy with us!
