Bedford – It is with a heavy heart we announce the passing of Charles Michael Conlon Jr. He was 96 years old.
Born November 22, 1927 in Lawrence MA, to Charles Michael Conlon Sr. and Gabrielle G. Higginbottom. Charlie grew up in Lawrence with his two brothers Eugene of Salem, NH and Daniel of Peabody MA. He graduated from Central Catholic High School first in his class in 1945. Charlie attended MIT for one year in 1946 before acceptance into the Naval Academy from which he graduated in 1950 with a bachelor’s degree in Engineering. He served as a naval aviator leading a squadron stationed in Tunis Africa patrolling the Mediterranean Sea for Soviet submarines and then became a flight instructor. He was especially proud to have a private audience with Pope Pius XII with his squadron while in Vatican City. He was discharged from the Navy in 1955 then earned his master’s degree in Engineering from Rensselear Polytechnic Institute. He went to work for Pratt and Whitney in Hartford, CN until 1961 when he began working for Avco Systems followed by Textron Systems retiring in 1987 at the age of 59 as a head project engineer and liaison with the military. He attained multiple aeronautical patents for his innovative work.
Charlie married the love of his life, Ruthie in 1950. They moved around the country with their growing family while he was in the Navy until his honorable discharge then in 1961 finally settled in Andover MA where they raised seven children. From 1988 to 2000 Charlie and Ruth split their residence between Plum Island, Newburyport, MA and Navarre Beach, FL. Charlie was a devout Catholic active as a lecturer and volunteer at St Augustine’s in Andover as well as Immaculate Conception in Newburyport. He was an avid painter in oils who was commissioned to paint portraits and sold to the market. They took many trips around the world Hawaii, Australia, New Zealand and multiple countries in Europe. In 2005 we lost Ruth and Charlie resided on Plum Island until 2015. He then moved to Carlton Willard in Bedford for the remainder of his life.
Charlie is predeceased by his wife of 55 years Ruth Ann Lynch of Andover and his son in law John Hartley Holdsworth of Andover. He is survived by his children Edward wife Deborah (Belleau) of Salem, NH, Thomas wife Patsy (Wood) of Dallas, TX, MaryAnn Lupi husband Michael of Salisbury, MA, Joseph wife Sally (Connolly) of Pelham, NH, Mark wife Lisa (Schopf) of Littleton, MA, Patti Holdsworth of Carlisle, MA. and Peggy husband Jared Porter of Beverly, MA, ten grandchildren and eight great grandchildren.
Calling hours will be held in the Burke-Magliozzi Funeral Home, 390 North Main Street, Andover on Monday, January 8, 2024, from 4 to 7 PM. His funeral service will be held in the funeral home on Tuesday, January 9, 2024, at 10 AM. Relatives and friends are most welcome to attend. Interment will be held in the Spring Grove Cemetery in Andover.
In lieu of flowers please consider a donation to Alzheimer's Association at alz.org or your favorite charity. For additional information, please visit, www.burkemagliozzi.com.