LINCOLNVILLE – Charles G. Oldham, 53, died May 24, 2005, in Boston, Mass., of complications following a liver transplant and a courageous battle with long-term illness. He was born June 1, 1951, in Camden, N.J., the son of George and Martha “Teeny” Oldham. He attended Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas, and the University of Arizona. Over the years, he lived in Brooklyn, N.Y.; Dallas, Texas; Tucson, Ariz.; San Francisco, Calif.; and Lincolnville. He will be greatly missed by the many friends he made wherever he lived. Charlie was a talented graphic designer whose most recent major project was Working Waterfront, the monthly newspaper published by the Island Institute. The newspaper’s “look” is largely Charlie’s creation, and he refined it over the past 10 years. While at the Institute he also designed numerous books and other publications. “Charlie brought talent, energy and complete dedication to the newspaper and the other publications,” said David Platt, Working Waterfront’s editor. “He knew everything. He was an original and will be almost impossible to replace.” Previously he was associated with (and briefly edited) “Buddy,” a music magazine published in Dallas, Texas. An encyclopedic knowledge of American popular music led him to create his own radio program, “Stacks o’ Tracks,” broadcast weekly on WERU Radio of East Orland. “Stacks o’ Tracks was one of the most unique and popular programs ever on WERU,” said John Hillman-Waters, a fellow DJ. “If there was ever someone whose tongue could trip the light fantastic, it was Charlie O. He was a DJ’s DJ.” Charlie’s ability to pull out obscure information about popular music was legendary. “He knew, off the top of his head, who wrote it, sang it, covered it, and on the spot he could put together a list for a six-song medley for Stacks,” recalled David Williams, a longtime friend who lives in Ellsworth. An accomplished amateur actor, Charlie was active in The Invisible Theater Group of Tucson, Ariz., and the Belfast Maskers of Belfast, where he is remembered for his portrayal of the ghost of Elvis Presley several years ago. He was an underground cartoonist, an avid reader, a movie buff and a collector with wide-ranging interests who had also been a punk rock bar bouncer and an advertising copy writer. He was a sharp dresser who loved to entertain. He will be remembered for his wit and honesty and his unfailing ability to craft a well-turned phrase. He was kind, affectionate and deeply loved his wife, home and friends. He was of the Quaker faith. He was predeceased by his mother, Martha Oldham. Survivors include his wife, Bonnie L. Mowery-Oldham of Lincoln-ville; a stepson, Michael Bacon of Brewer; his father, George Oldham of Hendersonville, N.C.; his mother-in-law, Mitzi Vitiello of Ocean, N.J.; two sisters, Grace Ellen Oldham of Asheville, N.C., and Martha Oldham Huggins and her husband, Fred, and their children, Charles and Rachel Huggins, all of Hendersonville; two brothers, John Oldham and his wife, Jessica, of Islesboro, and their son, Nate, and his wife, Jen, of Belfast; and Bill Oldham of Hendersonville. He will be missed by his three cats, Michaud, Bosco and Cisco. Memorial donations may be made to the bank account that was established to assist the family with the cost of his transplant at Camden National Bank, P.O. Box 310, Camden, ME 04843. Checks should be made out to “Charlie’s transplant account.” There will be a celebration of Charlie’s life at 11 a.m. June 19, 2005, at the Belfast City Boat House, Belfast.
CHARLES G. OLDHAM
