Charles “Charlie” Boardman Dolham Jr., died June 5 at Penobscot Bay Medical Center while surrounded by his loving family. He was born Aug. 16, 1933.
Charlie was a kind, gentle man who loved life and his family. He was devoted to his friends and to helping his community. Growing up in Warren Village, he enjoyed taking the trolley to Rockland to watch boat launchings; he would run home after school to help milk the cows, only to return to school afterwards for baseball or basketball practice.
During his sophomore year in high school he could be found spending time with his future wife and driving around on his Whizzer motor bike. Charlie graduated from Warren High School in 1951 and joined the U.S. Air Force the following September. He worked as a plane mechanic assigned to B-17’s and reached the rank of Staff Sergeant in 1954.
While in the military, Charlie married Dorothy “Ginger” Carroll on Sept. 19, 1953. They moved to Old Town so he could attend the University of Maine where he earned his degree in Mechanical Engineering. Following his graduation, he worked initially in St. Albans, Vt. and then spent most of his career working for Keyes Fiber Company in Waterville. Charlie enjoyed several business trips to Japan, Norway, England, and Canada, as well as around the U.S. He continued his education via night school at Thomas College, completing his MBA in 1983. Charlie retired from Keyes Fiber in 1989 and returned to the Warren family farm founded by his grandparents Harvey and Annie Post.
Since Charlie was never one to remain idle, he obtained a license as a soil evaluator and continued to travel the midcoast countryside, “digging.” He was also reintroduced into the family blueberry agriculture business and was involved in all facets of this business, including raking in the fields with the team.
Charlie and Dorothy raised five children together. The family enjoyed years of fun and travel, most notably a cross-country trip where the entire family packed themselves into a pop-up camper for a five-week adventure to the west coast. Charlie was devoted to his family and supported his children at their various school events, graduations, weddings, births of his grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.
Charlie is predeceased by his parents, Edna Post Dolham and Charles B. Dolham Sr.; sister, Leatrice Davis; and sister-in-law, Helen Stetson.
He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Dorothy Dolham; children and their spouses, Dean and Pat Dolham, Debbie and Sam Pitassi, Donna Dolham and Kate Perry, Diane and Rick Possee, and Dana and Jenn Dolham; grandchildren, Crystal and David Labrecque, Jonathon and Nicholas Pitassi, Raven, Aurora, and Carissa Dolham, and Nic and Anna Possee; great-grandchildren, Nathan and Ryan Labrecque; brother-in-law, Greg Dow and his family; and brother-in-law, Howard Stetson.
The memorial service will be held 1 p.m., Fri., June 14 at Hall Funeral Home, 949 Main St., Waldoboro. Reception to follow at the Warren Masonic Hall, 105 Camden Rd., Rt. 90, in Warren.
Donations may be made on Charlie’s behalf to the Payson Children’s Park – Merrill Payson Park Memorial Fund, c/o Joan Winchenbach, 142 Oyster River Rd., Warren, ME 04864.
You can send condolences to family at www.hallfuneralhomes.com.
Arrangements are entrusted to Hall Funeral Home and Cremation Service, Waldoboro.
