Obituary: Charles R. Christie

Charles R. Christie, 85, of Enfield died peacefully Sunday, August 4, 2013 at St. Francis Hospital in Hartford. 

Born October 24, 1927 in the Thompsonville section of Enfield, Charles was the son of the late Charles and Esther (Iacolino) Christie. He graduated from Cathedral High School, Springfield, MA in 1946. Charles served honorably in the U.S. Army from 1946 to 1948 as a Surgical Technician and earned the WWII Victory Medal and Army of Occupation Medal, Japan. He obtained a Bachelor’s Degree in Economics from Fordham University in 1952. 

Charles was the proprietor of a flower, gift, and greeting card store in New York City, where he lived until 1992 when he retired from the New York City Department of Social Services, Fraud Control Unit.  Charles returned to Enfield in 1993, where he remained until becoming a resident of the Hebrew Home in W. Hartford, CT in 2009. Charles enjoyed gardening and his yard was always filled with beautiful flowers.

Charles is survived by his sister Carmell “Chris” Wopschall, Enfield, and his brother John Christie of Warren, OH. Also surviving are nieces: Patricia Johnson, Enfield, Kathe Turner and her husband Robert, Enfield, and Christie Flowers and her husband Daniel of Charlton, MA; and nephews: Henry Wopschall Jr. and his wife Wendy, Enfield, and Thomas Christie and Richard Christie of OH. He is also survived by several grandnephews and grandnieces. In addition to his parents, Charles is predeceased by brothers Joseph Christie and Samuel Christie, a sister Madeline Christie, and brother-in-law Henry Wopschall Sr.

Relatives and friends may gather with Charles’ family during visitation from 9:00 to 10:30 a.m. Friday, August 9, 2013 at Browne Memorial Funeral Chapels, 43 Shaker Rd, Enfield. At 11:00 a.m. following the visitation, A Mass of Christian Burial will take place at St Patrick Church, Enfield with burial at Thompsonville Cemetery with military honors. Memorial donations in his memory may be made to St. Patrick Church, 64 Pearl St. Enfield, CT 06082.

For online condolences and directions please go to www.brownefuneralhome.com.

— Submitted by Browne Memorial Funeral Chapel, Enfield