Charles E. Woods

charles woods
Charles E. Woods, 81, of South Shore Drive, East Haven passed peacefully at his home on Wednesday July 23, 2008. He was born March 10, 1927 in Chicago, IL, and was raised by his mother Mildred King Woods and his father Charles E. Woods. Charlie met the love of his life, Mary Brown Woods, in New Haven while attending Yale, learning Japanese so he could act as a translator for the Army at the end of WWII. Charlie and Mary married after just a short 6 week courtship and went on to have 4 daughters, Sharon W. Knies of East Haven, Cynthia L. Woods, Kathleen W. Mosure and her husband Christopher of Cromwell and Mary Woods Cafro and her husband Daniel of Hebron. Also, a loving grandfather to Kurt and his wife Laura, Chaz, Sarah, Kathy Rae, Adam, Tyler and Alissa, and great grandfather to Ella, Daniel, Tommy, Jason, Kelly and Jillian. Charlie also leaves his brother, Robert (Bob) Woods of Itasca, IL and his family. Charlie was pre-deceased by his sister Elizabeth Quinn and his loving wife of 61 years, Mary. In 1945 Charlie graduated from Austin High School, Chicago, IL, where he wrote that his 'Ambition' in life was to understand women', with 4 girls he got lots of time to practice. After spending a year in Japan he returned to school getting his degree in civil engineering from Michigan College of Mining and Technology, Ann Arbor, MI, his bachelors' degree in Business Administration from Quinnipiac College and his Masters from Trinity College, Hartford. Charlie began working in the mail room for the New Haven Water Company in 1949. He grew within the company and became its President in 1970. He retired from the Regional Water Authority in 1982. Charlie was a long time resident of North Haven where he was active with the Republican party, serving as Treasurer for the town of North Haven and as Chairman of North Haven's Republican party. Active with the American Waterworks Association Charlie served as its President as well. While in Florida he worked as a consultant to the South Florida Water Management District and for the Water Authority of Nassau, Bahamas. After retiring from the Regional Water Authority Charlie and Mary moved to Palm Harbor, FL, returning to CT in 2005. Charlie was always happy to brag about his two 'Holes in One', the first on October 3, 1978 on the 12th hole at the New Haven Country Club and his second on Feb 2, 1978 at SSS Golf & Country Club. On the day that Charlie died it rained buckets, and all that knew him could hear him gleefully shouting 'inventory replenishment'! A Funeral Service will be held on Tuesday July 29, 2008 at 12 Noon at Beecher & Bennett Funeral Service, 2300 Whitney Avenue, Hamden. Friends may visit the family on Tuesday morning from 10 am to 12. Memorial contributions may be sent to the Parkinson's Disease Foundation, 1359 Broadway, Suite 1509, New York, NY 10018, (800) 457-6676.

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  1. Dear Kathy, Sharon and family, Very sorry to hear of your father. Am thinking of you and my prayers are with you.

  2. Dear Kathy: Had seriusly planted to attend services. Friday or Saturday something happened to my hip. I hope it’s just sciatic nerve and not hip problem. Our thoughts are with you> Donald & Sally Santacroce

  3. It seemed to go on and on, the days measured not by minutes and hours but by my fathers very breathing. Praying for his release from a cursed disease while not wanting to let him go. He was afterall MY father, my Daddy – my friend. I truly believe we all felt that way – We wild Woods women – as we knew deep down inside he was waiting for all of us to gather together – and we none of us could quite do it – we were after all Charlie’s angels- Mary and Charlie’s girls – even the dog was smitten with – as we say .her Grandfather.. He is dancing now enshrouded in warm embraces from his sweetheart our mother, two stepping the milky-way and sending stars swirling in a spectacular display. Look out at the night sky and you’ll see them smiling down on one and all. It was their way and I have been blessed to be witness to their union. And if I see a shooting star may be it’s at least a Par! I will surely miss you.

  4. Perhaps they are not stars, Bit the light of our loved ones shing down upon us. With our thoughts and prayers at you time of loss. Love, Amber and Al


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