BANGOR – Charles Joseph Catanzaro died Jan. 14, 2012, in Bangor, after a brief illness. Charlie passed peacefully in his sleep while in the arms of his loving wife, Roberta. Charlie was born April 11, 1921, in Paterson, N.J., the son of Salvatore Charles and Caterina (Arrigoni) Catanzaro.
He grew up in New Jersey and attended local schools, graduating from Ridgewood High School in 1939. Charlie joined the U.S. Army Air Corps and served in the European Theater, including Northern France, Ardennes, Rhineland and Central Europe, from March 1944 to December 1945, as an airplane and engine mechanic with the 47th Liaison Squadron, 9th Army Air Corps, reaching the rank of sergeant. After many years operating his garage in New Jersey, Charlie retired to Bucksport, where he enjoyed life and being in the outdoors. Charlie was an avid fisherman on the rivers, was a hunter, skilled mechanic, master gardener and arborist. Many friends and family have trees, plants and especially roses growing on their property that Charlie planted and nurtured.
Charlie was predeceased by his wife of 41 years, Marilyn Pearl Eaton; three brothers, Michael, John and George. Charlie is survived by an extended family, including his wife, Roberta Lynch of Bangor and her family; several special nieces and nephews and close personal family members, including Robert Deutsch, who Charlie considered as a son, his wife, Joan, and their family.
A Mass of Christian burial will be held 11 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 19, at St. John’s Catholic Church, 207 York St., Bangor. Per Charlie’s request, there will be no wake. In lieu of flowers, those who wish may make donations in Charlie’s memory to Maine Kids-Kin, a program of Families and Children Together, 304 Hancock St., Suite 2B, Bangor, ME 04401 or visit www.familiesandchildren.org. Arrangements made by Greenlawn Funeral Home, 300 State St., Bangor.