Welcome to the memorial page for
Charles J Wirth
May 8, 1925 ~ February 18, 2018 (age 92) 92 Years OldShare Obituary:
Charles J. Wirth, 92, died February 18, 2018, after a brief illness in his Southwick home, surrounded by his loving family. Born in Syracuse, New York on May 8, 1925, he was the son of Leah (Ochsner) and Wilhelm Wirth, immigrants respectively of Switzerland and Germany.
Charley was raised in Syracuse with his three sisters and one brother. Following graduation from Blodgett Vocational High School in 1943, he enlisted in the Army Air Force. One of the "greatest generation", Charley served as a nose turret gunner during World War II flying 23 missions over Germany. He achieved the rank of Staff Sergeant and was honorably discharged in October 1945. After receiving degrees in Aeronautical and Mechanical Engineering from Syracuse University, he moved to Toronto, Canada, where he worked for the Avro Company. In 1951 he married Mary Ann Meagher. The couple moved to Connecticut, eventually settling in West Granby, where they raised their family and kept an array of animals.
In 1956 Charley started employment with Kaman Aerospace Corporation where his work was highly regarded. He designed and oversaw production of essential helicopter systems, including primary drive systems, and a hydraulic coupling system that is still in use today. He subsequently joined Kaman's offshoot, Kamatics, as a Senior Project Engineer, where he worked until retirement in 1990.
Charley was a devoted husband and family man. He enjoyed a beautiful marriage to his wife, Marie, full of love and family pride. As an avid photographer he documented family vacations and trips. When he wasn't repairing cars or working on a DIY project, Charley enjoyed sailing in his Rhodes Bantam sailboat, or taking outings in his MG roadster. He also volunteered for the Granby Ambulance Association, and was a Boy Scout troop leader. In retirement, he took up golfing with friends, and enjoyed watercolor painting. And he and Marie traveled widely, including making several trips to Europe, and numerous cross-country camping trips with their dog, Muffin, including two as far as Alaska.
Charley is predeceased by his brother William Wirth, and his sisters Lea Stanmyre, Anna May Wirth (Sr. Rose Lea Wirth of the Sisters of St Joseph Carondelet), and Mickey (Margaret) Brown. He is also predeceased by his dearly loved son, John Charles Joseph Wirth, a generous friend and accomplished mechanic. Besides his beloved wife Marie, Charley leaves his son Richard Ostrander Wirth and his wife Margaret Leahy Wirth, of Boston, daughter Christine Wirth and her husband Charles Normand, also of Boston, and daughter Nancy Roehl and her husband Thomas Roehl, of Barkhamsted, CT. He also leaves his much loved extended family including six grandchildren, Gregory Roehl, Drew Roehl, Jacob Roehl, and Dayana Roehl, Katrina Wirth Fulton, and Laura Leahy Wirth; seven great-grandchildren, Savannah Roehl, Kiera Roehl, Adriana Roehl, Genevieve Fulton, Hobbes Fulton, August Fulton, and Jonathan Roehl; as well as many sisters- and brothers-in-law, and nieces and nephews.
His family will receive friends on Thursday, February 22 from 4 to 7 PM at the Southwick Forastiere Funeral Home, 624 College Highway, Southwick, MA. Burial will be private. In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be to the Baystate Visiting Nurse Association, Hospice Care, or The Little Guild Animal Shelter, West Cornwall, CT.
Charley was raised in Syracuse with his three sisters and one brother. Following graduation from Blodgett Vocational High School in 1943, he enlisted in the Army Air Force. One of the "greatest generation", Charley served as a nose turret gunner during World War II flying 23 missions over Germany. He achieved the rank of Staff Sergeant and was honorably discharged in October 1945. After receiving degrees in Aeronautical and Mechanical Engineering from Syracuse University, he moved to Toronto, Canada, where he worked for the Avro Company. In 1951 he married Mary Ann Meagher. The couple moved to Connecticut, eventually settling in West Granby, where they raised their family and kept an array of animals.
In 1956 Charley started employment with Kaman Aerospace Corporation where his work was highly regarded. He designed and oversaw production of essential helicopter systems, including primary drive systems, and a hydraulic coupling system that is still in use today. He subsequently joined Kaman's offshoot, Kamatics, as a Senior Project Engineer, where he worked until retirement in 1990.
Charley was a devoted husband and family man. He enjoyed a beautiful marriage to his wife, Marie, full of love and family pride. As an avid photographer he documented family vacations and trips. When he wasn't repairing cars or working on a DIY project, Charley enjoyed sailing in his Rhodes Bantam sailboat, or taking outings in his MG roadster. He also volunteered for the Granby Ambulance Association, and was a Boy Scout troop leader. In retirement, he took up golfing with friends, and enjoyed watercolor painting. And he and Marie traveled widely, including making several trips to Europe, and numerous cross-country camping trips with their dog, Muffin, including two as far as Alaska.
Charley is predeceased by his brother William Wirth, and his sisters Lea Stanmyre, Anna May Wirth (Sr. Rose Lea Wirth of the Sisters of St Joseph Carondelet), and Mickey (Margaret) Brown. He is also predeceased by his dearly loved son, John Charles Joseph Wirth, a generous friend and accomplished mechanic. Besides his beloved wife Marie, Charley leaves his son Richard Ostrander Wirth and his wife Margaret Leahy Wirth, of Boston, daughter Christine Wirth and her husband Charles Normand, also of Boston, and daughter Nancy Roehl and her husband Thomas Roehl, of Barkhamsted, CT. He also leaves his much loved extended family including six grandchildren, Gregory Roehl, Drew Roehl, Jacob Roehl, and Dayana Roehl, Katrina Wirth Fulton, and Laura Leahy Wirth; seven great-grandchildren, Savannah Roehl, Kiera Roehl, Adriana Roehl, Genevieve Fulton, Hobbes Fulton, August Fulton, and Jonathan Roehl; as well as many sisters- and brothers-in-law, and nieces and nephews.
His family will receive friends on Thursday, February 22 from 4 to 7 PM at the Southwick Forastiere Funeral Home, 624 College Highway, Southwick, MA. Burial will be private. In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be to the Baystate Visiting Nurse Association, Hospice Care, or The Little Guild Animal Shelter, West Cornwall, CT.
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