Charles C. English, Longtime Durham Resident and World War II Veteran, Dies at Age 97

Charles C. English, Sr. age 97, formerly of Durham, and recently Luther Manor, Middletown, CT. died from complications of old age at Middlesex Health Care Center on March 4, 2013. Mr. English, born in Deep River, CT, was the husband of the late Stacia M. (Cuber) English for 58 years and was the son of the late Joseph & Julia (Hajec) English. He is survived by children, Richard and Kathy English of Addison, VT, Charles, Jr. and Mary English of Baldwin, MD, daughter Claudia English of Los Angeles, CA, brother, Edward English of Clearwater, FL and 4 grandchildren. He was predeceased by his brothers, Joseph, Jr., Larry and John.

Mr. English was a communicant of Notre Dame Catholic Church in Durham, and was an original church choir tenor singing for over 40 years. He participated in many fund raisers, musicals, facility improvements and orchestras during those years and belonged to the Notre Dame Catholic Club, Parish Council, Golden Circle Club and the Knights of Columbus as a Third Degree member.

Charlie was a graduate of Deep River, CT schools and the New England Technical Institute, Ward School of Electronics (now U of Hartford) graduating as a radio & electronics technician. He was employed at the Rabinak Flower Farm (Deep River) as a manager, a serviceman at G.U. Reed Radio & Electronics, an electronics technician at Connecticut Telephone & Electric and the Connecticut Aircraft Nuclear Engine Lab (CANEL - now P&WA in Higganum). Before retiring in 1980 he served as a senior vendor quality control representative for Pratt & Whitney Aircraft and was a member of the Instrument Society of America and the American Society for Quality Control. During that time he was a State of Connecticut registered nurseryman, putting his children through college with shrubbery sales.

Charlie's military activities began with the 62nd Troop Carrier Squadron, 9th and 12th Air Force group as a non-commissioned officer during World War II. His C-47 Squadron dropped supplies and paratroopers in North Africa, Sicily, the Italian mainland and the Northern European Theater including the D-Day invasion of France and the Battle of the Bulge. Mr. English received 9 Battle Stars, Distinguished Unit citation, an Oak Leaf cluster and a belated commendation in 2000 from the French government for the liberation of France. Following Liberation Day he returned as a member of the Durham American Legion Post 184, Middlefield VFW, St. Mary Catholic War Veterans and served as the American Legion baseball team manager and their Cub Scouts institutional representative.

During his long civic life Charlie was a member and officer of and active in the Deep River High School Alumni Association, the Sobieski Society of Deep River, the Polish Mountaineers orchestra, Durham Democratic Town Committee serving as secretary-treasurer, Economic Development Commission as secretary, Durham Public Library as treasurer, March of Dimes food sales, Washington Trail Guards, and the Durham 60-Plus Club. He was a generous blood donor, the last record was 9 gallons as of 1979. 

A resident of Durham for 39 years, he moved to Middletown in 1989 where his final civic duty was as a Justice of the Peace, performing many marriage ceremonies. He and his wife, Stacia, traveled to many countries after retiring and presented countless slide travelogues and volunteer services to many area senior centers, convalescent homes and other social groups.

The family wishes to thank the staff at Luther Ridge for their valuable care, assistance and support throughout his stay. Funeral services will be held Saturday at 9 a.m. from the Biega Funeral Home, 3 Silver St., Middletown followed by an 10 a.m. Funeral Liturgy in Notre Dame Church. Burial will be in State Veterans' Cemetery. Friends may call at the Biega Funeral Home Friday from 5 to 7 p.m. In lieu of flowers, a donation may be made to either Notre Dame Church, 272 Main St., Durham, CT 06422 or to Luther Ridge, 628 Congdon St. West, Middletown, CT 06457. To share memories or express condolences online please visit www.biegafuneralhome.com.