CHARLES F. WASHBURN

PERRY – Charles F. Washburn, 61, of Perry died Dec. 14, 2005, of a brain aneurysm, at Calais Regional Hospital. He was born Jan. 4, 1944, in St. Stephen, N.B., the son of C. Marshall and Mildred Scott Washburn. The family lived in Perry during Mr. Washburn’s younger years, then moved to Bangor when he was nine. His family had a summer camp on Pushaw Lake and when he was 10 years old, Mr. Washburn printed a weekly newspaper for people around the lake, making deliveries in his boat. Some of his lifelong interests began when he was still a young boy, including geography and radio. He was fascinated by radios and electronics and he made his own short-wave radios. He was a 1961 graduate of Bangor High School and received a degree in international relations and political science in 1965, from the University of Maine, where he was a disc jockey at the campus radio station. He graduated from Boston University School of Law in 1968, and began practicing in Machias shortly after. In June of 1967, he married Karlene Kelley of Machias and the two lived in Perry after Mr. Washburn finished law school. The couple divorced in 1984, but remained friends. Together they had one child, Elizabeth Louise. In 1980, Mr. Washburn was disbarred and gave up the practice of law after making some poor decisions. His lack of judgement sent him to Maine State Prison for nearly three years. After his release, he returned to Orono to study computer science. In Oct. 1984, he married Bonnie Faatz, originally of Summit, N.J. In 1989, the two moved back to Perry, where Mr. Washburn pursued gardening and computer programming. He had a number of hobbies and interests, including music, politics, reading and home repair. He also was a good neighbor who was always willing to help someone out. He was well traveled, having been to Europe twice, Bermuda, Puerto Rico and for many years, took annual trips to the Maritime provinces. He was a past president of the Eastport Rotary Club, past president of the Washington County Bar Association and, in his younger years, very active in Republican politics, including running for the Legislature in 1970. He was predeceased by his parents, three aunts and one uncle. He is survived by his wife, Bonnie; his daughter, Elizabeth Kelley Washburn of Boston; his former wife, Karlene Hale of Monmouth; and several cousins. No service is scheduled at this time, but a memorial is tentatively planned for this summer on the beach in Perry. A memorial website is currently being created by his daughter and a notice stating its web address will be published in this paper the first week of January. The site will be for friends and family to share memories, and will feature plans for the service.