Charles Falconer

In everything he did, Charles Falconer carried himself with strength, courage, and honor that are to be admired. He was resilient and someone who believed that anything worth doing was worth doing right. A man of many skills, Charles was one who liked to keep busy whether he was working with wood, enjoying his trains, or socializing with family or friends. A true patriot, he willingly served his country during a time of great need and was recognized for his excellent service. Charles enjoyed being a father, but being a grandfather was his greatest delight as the generations who follow him were his greatest source of pride and joy. Life will never be the same without Charles here, but his loved ones will be forever grateful for having been touched by him. During the prosperous 1920s, Americans celebrated the many accomplishments of Charles Lindbergh and Amelia Earhart as well as the rebirth of American baseball and the heyday of Broadway that was at an all-time peak. Luxuries became more affordable thanks to the assembly line and things like washing machines and refrigerators made life easier for women at home than ever before. It was amidst this vibrant time that there was much to celebrate in the family of Charles Edgar and Phyllis (McNeil) Falconer since they were thrilled to announce the arrival of their healthy baby boy. Charles Harold was born in Providence, Rhode Island, and was the apple of his parents eye as their only child. His father worked as a millwright while his mother stayed home. Charles enjoyed a childhood that was rather typical for the youth of his generation including memorable family times spent camping and at the beach together. Right after graduating from Samuel Gorton High School, Charles enlisted in the United States Navy and served during WWII. He was discharged from the Navy when his duty was fulfilled, but he was drafted by the Army shortly thereafter so he returned to the Navy instead. He made a career out of the military over the thirty years that followed, serving as a deep-sea diver throughout the majority of his career there. It was during this time that the divers used the hard metal helmets with weighted shoes to keep them submerged. Charles spent many hours repairing ships and welding under the water. He was usually stationed out of the base in Norfolk, Virginia, and served aboard the USS Kittiwake and the USS Arcadia. By the time he retired in 1975, Charles had earned the rank of senior chief petty officer. His accomplishments in the military were awarded with a variety of medals and commendations. It was just after he enlisted for the second time that Charles met the woman with whom he would establish the family he treasured. Her name was Fay Bradway and they were acquaintances as their families knew one another. After dating for a time the couple was married on January 7, 1950. Together they were blessed with three daughters: Gayle, Cindy, and Charlene. Shortly after he retired from the military Charles and Fay were divorced. He settled in Brooksville, Florida where he worked at a radiator repair shop. New and exciting changes were in store for Charles when he met a woman named Florence Halter while he was tending bar at a local restaurant. The sparks flew from the first time they met and they soon began dating. Deeply in love, the couple exchanged their vows on May 10, 1980. They were true soul mates who made so many priceless memories together. In order to escape the unrelenting Florida heat during the summers, they often took their trailer north visiting relatives along the way. They usually spent several weeks with Florences son, Randy, and his wife, Susan, in West Michigan. There were many things Charles enjoyed along his lifes journey. As a Brooksville resident he was a member of the Royal Order of Moose Lodge #521 and Florida Elks Lodge #2582 where he served as an Exalted Ruler from 1988-1989. He also loved to draw maps and had a great passion for trains. Many hours were spent putting together his train room and his double decker display. Charles was a talented woodworker who made several things for his family and friends that have now become priceless treasures. He loved spending time with his grandchildren and was thrilled when they came to visit, and he even taught them to scuba dive. Throughout his life Charles had a soft spot for Patsy Cline music and loved getting in touch with his more masculine side watching movies featuring one of his favorite actors, John Wayne. It was not uncommon to see Charles sipping a scotch and water as it was his favorite drink that he loved sharing with his friends and family. During the sunset of his life Charles struggled with a few health concerns that began when he suffered a stroke in 1991. Unfortunately, this stroke left him paralyzed on his right side, but he recovered relatively well and was sure to give the credit for his rebound to his Energizer bunny, his dear Florence, who kept him alive and kicking. By 2005 his heath declined further and Charles needed more care so they moved to the Muskegon area where Florences daughters lived. The next few years found him living in several assisted living centers before finally settling in at Chestnut Fields where he received excellent care. Once in Michigan, Charles became very fond of his stepson, Randy, and his wife, Susan. They spent countless hours together visiting at the assisted living center, sharing deep conversations together, and having so much fun together at family events. Although life was full of so many things he enjoyed, there was nothing more near and dear to the heart of Charles Falconer than the family he cherished with every breath. He was a true patriot and an honest and fair man who leaves behind countless lessons in what it means to be a man of character. Charles was a vital part in the lives of so many, and he will be deeply missed and warmly remembered. HTCS Charles H. Falconer died Sunday, July 3, 2011. Charless family includes his wife, Florence; daughters, Cynthia (John) Reeves of VA; Gayle (Doug) Turner of TX, Charlene (James) Jenrette of VA; stepchildren Randy (Susan) Halter of Spring Lake, Dolores (Ed) Wantuch of Whitehall; 12 grandchildren & step grandchildren. A memorial gathering will be held on Thursday, July 7, 2011, 6:00-8:00 p.m. at the Clock Chapel - Fruitport with a time of sharing and Military Rites at 7:30 p.m. Please visit www.lifestorynet.com to leave a memory or sign the online guest book.