Charles Wilkinson
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Obituary for Charles N. Wilkinson

Charles N.  Wilkinson
Charles N. Wilkinson, 94, a resident of Dover Plains, NY passed away on Monday, August 25, 2014.

Son of the late Charles B. and Elsie Platt Wilkinson, he was born on November 6, 1919 in Ashaway, RI. Known as “Charlie” or “Chick” to friends and family, he grew up in North Stonington, Connecticut and Dover Plains, New York. He is survived by his wife, Ezaura Rodrigues, whom he married on April 26, 1945.

On January 16, 1940, Charlie voluntarily enlisted in the United States Navy. He served all six years of duty in the North Atlantic, American and South Pacific as a Turret Captain, First Class on the U.S.S. Vincennes, U.S.S. San Juan and the U.S.S. Chicago. According to his First Division Officer of the U.S.S. Chicago, Charlie was invaluable to organizing, training, and indoctrinating a new turret crew into an efficient and spirited crew because of his tact, judgment and leadership. Charlie possessed an inherent quality for his ordinance work far above the average turret captain. He was awarded the Asiatic-Pacific Theater (12) stars, Pre Pearl Harbor Ribbon, American Theater, American Defense Service Medal with American Campaign-Asiatic-Pacific Campaign with (2) Silver Stars and (2) Bronze Stars, Victory Medal, Good Conduct Medal and European-African-Middle Eastern Theater Medal.

After returning home from the war, Charlie worked as a purchasing agent at Pawling Corporation in Pawling, NY, a technician involved with the development of electric insect traps at Detjen Corporation in Clinton Corners, NY, a mason at the Harlem Valley Psychiatric Center in Wingdale, NY and an inventory clerk for Taylor Oil, Inc. in Dover Plains, NY and O’Neill Plumbing & Heating, Inc. in Wingdale, NY.

Charlie was one of the founding fathers, as well as a past post commander, of the Harlem Valley V.F.W. Post #5444 in Dover Plains. He was also a member of the Automobile License Plate Collectors Association #1730, USS San Juan and Guadalcanal Associations, as well as a life member of the United States Naval Institute.
The core of who Charlie was could be summarized in his value of hard work, pride in military service to protect his country, love of learning, music, family celebrations, travel and especially persistent optimism.

In addition to his wife, Charlie is survived by four daughters, Carol Butts and her husband, Gary, of Dover Plains, NY, Sandra Pickering and her husband, Randall, of Gowanda, NY, Nancy Schreiber and her husband, William, of Wingdale, NY and Beatrice Wood and her husband, Rory, of Wingdale, NY. He is also survived by two brothers, Walter Wilkinson of Live Oak, FL and Everett Wilkinson of St. Petersburg, FL; three sisters, Beatrice Brannock of Kingsport, TN, Lucille Abernathy of Kingsport, TN and Evelyn Brewer of Danville, VA. Charlie was a loving grandfather to Michelle Bonavenia, Jennifer Ennis, Joseph Tanner, Jason Pickering, Lea Hundersmarck, Brandon Schreiber, Laurel Wood and Emily Wood. He was also a memorable great grandfather to Jeremy Morrison, Ally Morrison, Anthony Bonvenia, Jr., Kohnor Ennis, Vivian Tanner, Jeremy Pickering, Amelia Pickering and Jensen Schreiber. Besides his parents, he was predeceased by a brother, Ellsworth Wilkinson, a sister, Lillian Swanson and a great granddaughter, Emma Tanner.

Calling hours will be held from 9 to 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, August 30, 2014 at the Hufcut Funeral Home, 3159 Route 22, Dover Plains, NY. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m. on Saturday at St. Charles Borromeo Church, 62 Mill St., Dover Plains, NY. Burial with military honors will follow at St. Charles Cemetery, Dover Plains. Memorial contributions may be made to V. F. W. Post #5444, 3442 Route 22, Dover Plains, NY 12522. To send the family an online condolence, please visit www.hufcutfuneralhome.com.

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