LEWISTON — Charles McDonald, 76, of Lewiston was promoted to grace on May 17 at Marshwood Nursing Facility in Lewiston.
He was born Feb. 16, 1942, in Fall River, Mass., to parents Mary Sullivan and William McDonald. He graduated from Case High School in Swansea, Mass., Class of 1960. He always told me about his fond memories growing up in Ocean Grove down on “The Bluffs,” especailly the times he would go roller skating with his sister, Paula. He roller skated for many years and his skates still remain in his closet at his home.
He first worked as a welder at Alvin, the deep-water sub, in Woods Hole, Mass. Charles proudly served our country in the Army Reserve from January 1965 to October 1970. After having two children he decided to be self-employed, at which he succeeded.
Charles was co-owner of Ace Salvage in Tiverton, R.I., in the 1980s. He started doing flea markets around Narragansett and Tiverton. This led him to expand his sales and he started to do many of the Maine summer fairs. Over the years he attended Blue Hill, Topsham, Litchfield, Skowhegan, Acton, Monmouth, Farmington (where he was the longest-running vendor for over 40 years) and many others, including his favorite, the Fryeburg Fair. I’m sure he will be greatly missed by all of his longtime friends made over the years at these events.
While at the Skowhegan Fair in the ‘80s, he met another vendor, and love of his life, Janice Hill. They got married (finally, lol) Jan. 16, 1999. They were co-owners of Chuck’s Corner gift shop. My dad liked his old cars and always tended to them with much care. I’ll miss seeing him outside in his “uniform” as I used to call it , a white T-shirt and basketball shorts, “playing” with and cleaning his “ol’ timer” cars. He had a big heart and always liked to make me laugh. I deeply miss my dad; he was not just a great father but also my best friend.
Charles was predeceased by his parents; brother, William McDonald Jr.; his wife, Janice McDonald; and their little dog, Chico.
Charles is survived by his daughter, Laura McDonald, of Lewiston; son, William McDonald, of Fall River, Mass.; sister, Paula Bowley, of Middleton, R.I.; and niece, Christine Vezina, and her son, Max, of Cambridge, Mass.
Charles McDonald
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