Was born in London, England on January 17th, 1903
He left us on July 29th, 2005
That is one hundred and two years, six months and twenty- nine days
That in it’s self is amazing.
He leaves behind his daughter Sally, three grandchildren, Donna, Gary and Lisa as well as five great- grandchildren, Cameron, Michael, Ashley, Chelsea and Trevor.
They are his legacy.
In those 102 years many extraordinary things took place and were discovered or invented.
To think that man flew only the year before he was born is hard to fathom. Think about the history he lived through. Surviving both world wars and what historians have titled “the great depression”. He watched
in awe as Neil Armstrong walked on the moon. During the past one hundred years man has made huge advancements and Charlie Brown saw it all.
Charlie like most of us had distinct chapters in his life.
We all know only too well about the last years. We know how hard it is to watch someone you love as they are ravaged by age. It takes them away from you a little at a time. His quality of life had diminished but not his inner spirit, that remained bright until the very end.
The first chapter began in England growing up, attending school and finally working.
Charlie found that he liked working with his hands. He worked for Black and Decker repairing and building small hand tools in England and later in America. He enjoyed tinkering and could repair most anything. He was orderly, organized and took care of everything he ever owned from cars to screwdrivers. To him each was important and must be well maintained.
He married May Cannon and together they raised their son Jim, who passed away a few years ago and their daughter Sally. They lived in their own home in West Drayton, England just south of London. They as a family vacationed often in Broadstairs by the sea. Life was good.
Charlie also worked for a private club in London, where he met many wealthy, powerful and influential people such as Sir Winston Churchill. It was threw those relationships that he became a Mason and through those meetings and conversations that Charlie learned of the impending war. Being a practical man Charlie built a bomb shelter in his backyard. Naturally, friends and neighbors alike thought he was stark raving mad. That was until the bombs began to drop.
In the early 1950’s Charlie and May followed their daughter Sally to America to Massachusetts, where they settled for a number of years. Charlie had an interesting hobby, which was ornately decorating cakes that his wife baked. The decoration and attention to detail was amazing. Some were of beautiful holiday scenes and others like Cinderella’s coach were far more elaborate. He had a real talent for it.
It was in Massachusetts, that he first learned to drive and then bought his first car. He had several cars after that and they all had two things in common. There was a compass on the dashboard and one of those mesh, plaid folding seats that sat on top of the driver’s seat.
In the early 1960’s, May and Charlie followed their daughter once more, this time to California. They settled in Sherman oaks, where they managed apartment complexes. Spending many weekends at Sally’s spoiling their grandchildren. Due to May’s serious health problems they decided to return to England and unfortunately it was there that Charlie lost May, in 1969; grieving he returned to his daughter in America.
Then a new chapter began for Charlie. He took on a little part time job to help him stay busy. He joined the Mayflower club and became an active member. He’d always loved ballroom dancing and this renewed his passion. He was a beautiful dancer and a much sought after partner. I always thought he looked dashing in his navy blue blazer, wearing his very best tie with his shiny cuff links and smartly folded pocket square.
He then began to travel with groups from the club where he made many friends. He went on cruises and traveled most of Europe. Venturing to far off places like Israel, Egypt and Turkey later cruising to Japan. Lastly he purchased a motorhome and traveled throughout the US and Canada leisurely taking in the sights. He truly loved this country and thought it to be the greatest in the world.
In between the travels he began managing senior citizen buildings. That allowed him to tinker and nurture his love to entertain. He would arrange variety shows for the tenants. Charlie was the master of ceremonies, opening every show with the song “When you’re smiling” and closed each show with “Thanks for the memories”. It was a happy time in his life. Charlie danced and sang well into his eighties.
Overall, Charlie Brown lived in extraordinary times and lived a most amazing and happy life. If he were here right now he would say to you all “Thanks for the memories”!
07/2005
