Charles Brainard Falconer, 80, of Hamden, Conn. and Damariscotta, passed away peacefully with his family by his side at the Miles Memorial Hospital in Damariscotta on June 4. Charles was born on Sept. 13, 1931 in Geneva, Switzerland to Betty Friday (Hayn) Falconer of Austria and Brainard Falconer of Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
Charles attended Montreal West High School and graduated at the age of 16, upon which he attended McGill University and studied physics. Charles had an expansive career as a scientist, traveling the world as a nuclear physicist, beginning his career at Chalk River Nuclear. Charles left Canada in 1958 and moved to Boston, Mass. where he developed computer software and hardware for nuclear facilities, and became a fan of the Boston Red Sox.
Charles owned Data Acquisition Corporation in Hamden, Conn. where he developed one of the world’s first microcomputers, the DAC 512. He was particularly proud of his work on the PASCAL computer language that translated the program into a useable language for microprocessors, paving the way for what we currently call desktop computers. Charles worked at Yale-New Haven Hospital’s School of Medicine as the Chief Instrumentation Engineer, retiring in 1987.
Charles spent many summers with his family at their summer family home in Dennysville, where he enjoyed relaxing with a swim, reading, and family outings that usually ended with an ice cream.
He had an extensive love of opera and classical music, and participated widely in bridge and cribbage tournaments local to Damariscotta, which he often won.
Charles was married for 37 years to Edwina Jane (Edwards) Falconer, who predeceased him in 2004.
He is survived by daughter, Sarah (Falconer) Libby and husband Scott and children Jacob Maker, Claire Edwina Libby, and Devin Libby of New Harbor; daughter, Grace Falconer and companion J.B. Lawrence of Augusta; Eric Arson and family of Connecticut; several other extended family members; many special friends including the Alan Shea Sr. family of Jefferson, the Orser/McDonald family of Hamden, Conn., and Marilyn Kondi of Damariscotta; many friends in Dennysville; as well as special bridge partners.
Gathering 4-6 p.m., Sat., June 9 at the Strong-Hancock Funeral Home, 612 Main St., Damariscotta. There will be a time for loved ones and friends to share stories at 5 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, friends may consider sending a donation to the Bridge and Cribbage Tournament Fund at The First Bank in Damariscotta, c/o Grace Falconer, PO Box 940, Damariscotta, ME 04543.
Condolences, and messages for the family, may be expressed by visiting www.StrongHancock.com.
Arrangements are under the direction and care of the Strong-Hancock Funeral Home, 612 Main St., Damariscotta.
