Age 25. 21 Stearns Street, Cambridge, MA. Born on 7/17/1917, in Cambridge. Died of carbon monoxide poisoning (death certificate). Business machine operator, New England Power Co., Boston (same employer as a victim in another party, George Colburn, age 32, of Roxbury, MA, no other known connection). Was known as "Pat." In a trio with Miss Mary Keefe, age 20, of Somerville, MA, and her boyfriend Francis "Frank" Melvin, age 26, of Cambridge, both dead. Mr. Melvin was to enter the U.S. Army on December 1. With Miss Keefe was diverting the latter while guests assembled to stage a surprise send-off party at the Melvin residence. "At 9:30 Saturday night, young Courtney called the Melvin home to find out if everything was ready...and said they would be on their way to Cambridge soon" (Cambridge Chronicle, 12/03/1942). Bodies of both men were reported as found just inside the main revolving door to the club. One of 60 "probable identifications" listed Sunday morning (8:00 a.m.) at Southern Mortuary, Boston (all male). Was single. Graduate of Rindge Technical School, Cambridge, in 1935. Was to leave for the armed forces himself, also on the coming Tuesday. Slender frame (WWII draft registration, October '40: 5' 11," 168 lbs.). Parents Mr. and Mrs. Daniel C. and Mary (McCarthy) Courtney, same address. "News of his death has not been imparted to his mother, who is an invalid" (The Boston Herald, 11/30/1942). Burial at Cambridge Cemetery, Cambridge. One of eight Grove casualties interred at Cambridge Cemetery (also Miss Norrine Curtin, age 26, John F. Doyle, age 25, Mrs. Lillian Geribo, age 26, Miss Louise Morris, age 31, club porter Shadrack "Shady" Plenty, age 54, and James Slattery, Sr., age 42, plus Mr. Melvin). Middle name John.

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