1925 – 2014

AUBURN — Charles E. Kerr Jr., “Chuck,” “Charlie,” 89, of Auburn, passed away at home with his “beautiful bride” at his side on Saturday, Aug. 16.

Charles was born in Lewiston on June 28, 1925, a son of Thelma Read Kerr and Charles E. Kerr Sr. He was educated in the Auburn School System. During his high school years, he attended New Hampton School in New Hampshire.

After graduating, he enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Force and served in World War II from September 1943 to March 1946, as a staff sergeant aerial gunner, based on the island of Tinian in the Pacific Theater and flying on a B-29 Superfortress from December 1944 to August 1945. After an honorable discharge, he attended Wentworth Institute in Boston, majoring in aviation maintenance engineering. He held a master electrician license.

On Aug. 2, 1947, he wed Dorothy E. Chesley. After living in Boston, Mass., while finishing college, they moved back to Auburn to settle and raise a family. Charles and Dorothy first met in the fifth-grade while attending ballroom dance lessons and recently celebrated their 67th wedding anniversary.

Charles worked at Palmer Construction Co., Kerr Electrical Co. and Kerr Machine Products, which he owned and operated. His last place of employment before retirement was at Lewiston Welding Supply.

Throughout the years, he enjoyed time with his family camping, boating at the lake and the ocean, traveling, waterskiing and downhill and cross-country skiing. For six years, he was a ski patroler at Sunday River in Newry. Traveling highlights included a United States cross-country trip and a trip to Europe to visit his daughter.

Charles had a love for aviation and in 1947, acquired his FAA pilot license. He flew the 7AC Aeronca, the Republic CB and the Navion. He flew several types of sailplanes. He also built and flew radio-controlled model airplanes and was a member of the Downeast Soaring Club and Skystreakers Model Airplane Club. He truly enjoyed puttering in his “man cave” model airplane shop and spending time with his buddies at the flying field.

To his family, he will be remembered as “My Grampy can fix anything,” his easy chuckles and his infamous one-liners. He never failed to amuse when he was asked how he was; he would answer, “I’m in good shape for the shape I’m in” or “I’m taking nourishment.” He frequently started a sentence with, “This is my take on it,” and never failed to pull out a paper and pen to draw a diagram, saying “Want me to draw you a diagram?” He was amazingly mechanically-inclined, always inventing some gadget to overcome any barrier.

A believer who carried the 23rd Psalm in his heart and Psalm 91 in his pocket, he was a strong, loving spirit who persevered in the face of many years of physical disability.

He is survived by his wife, Dorothy; a sister, Louise Miles, of Scarborough; one son, Charles E. Kerr III and wife, Jane, of Norwich, Vt.; two daughters, Andrea Hebert and husband, David, of Niceville, Fla., and Diana Pontbriand and husband, Robert, of Auburn; seven grandchildren, Tyler Kerr and fianceé, Kristen Pond, Kevin Hebert and wife, Angela, Sarah Embry and husband, Brad, Erin Breau and husband, Christian, Alyson Farrington and husband, Craig, Matthew Pontbriand and Daniel Pontbriand and wife, Krissy; and 11 great-grandchildren, Chelsea, Griffin and Trevor Hebert, Coley, Kerrstin and Braden Embry, Aiden and Isaac Breau, Dustin and Kara Farrington and Royer Pontbriand, who is due to arrive in November.

He was predeceased by his parents and his beautiful infant granddaughter, Rachel.

The family would like to extend heartfelt appreciation and love to all who supported us in so many ways during this time.

Online condolences, thoughts and prayers for the family can be left at www.thefortingroupauburn.com.

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