Waterhouse, Charles G., passed away peacefully at his home in Hull on July 19th, 2011.
Devoted husband of the late Ruth Prendergast Waterhouse. Charlie was born into this world at home on February 14, 1923, son of the late John G. Waterhouse and Susan (Humphrey) Waterhouse. He was a graduate of Hingham High School, Class of 1940. During WWII, Charlie served in the U.S. Army Air Corps, stationed in Alabama, where he attended flight training school. He was honorably discharged in 1945. Charlie resumed his education after the war, earning a bachelors degree in english and science from Northeastern University and a master’s degree in secondary english from Boston University. A lifelong resident of Hull, Charlie was an educator in the Hull Public Schools retiring after 36 years in 1985. Starting in 1949 as an English and Science teacher, the last 20 years of his career were spent as Director of Special Education at the Hull Schools. He was also a school psychologist. Charlie touched many lives of Hull’s youth over the years with his gentle and kind manner. In a feature article in the Patriot Ledger May 16, 1985 Charlie was quoted “Every youngster I’ve had in school is one of mine, I am proud of them.” The Patriot Ledger awarded Charlie the Golden Apple award for his teaching career. Waterhouse credits his wife Ruth, also a Special Ed teacher in Boston Public, for getting him involved in the field.
Charlie along with his wife Ruth spent their retirement years volunteering at the Boston Chapter of the Retired Teachers Union where Ruth was a founding board member. A lover of the water, Charlie loved fishing, tennis, golf and spending time of his boat, the “ChaRu” until Ruth’s 18 year battle with Non Hodgkin's Lymphoma forced them to focus on her well being. Upon Ruth’s death in 2001, Charlie became a devoted caregiver to his sister in law, the late Mary K. Prendergast.
Charlie is survived by his cousins, Alice and Mike Hamer of Scituate, Lois and Ron Lichtenberger of Hull, Janice and Tom Kroboth of Monument, CO as well as his extended family and primary care giver David A. Foley of Quincy, Marie Niland of Hull, Charlie will be lovingly remembered by the many members of the Robert E. Foley, Paul F. Foley and Richard L. Foley families. He will be remembered as “Pops” by his “Squea”, Frances Fran Casey and her husband Vincent Marcheese of Hingham, lifelong friend and fellow retired Hull teacher Frances “Franny” Keyes. Charlie was predeceased by his wife, Ruth Prendergast Waterhouse, devoted sisters in law, Eleanor Prendergast Foley, Mary K. Prendergast and beloved friend Doris Gorman.
Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend the visiting hours on Sunday 2-6 PM in the Pyne Keohane Funeral Home, 21 Emerald St. (off Central St.), HINGHAM.
A Celebration of Life Service will be held in the funeral home at 10:15 AM on Monday prior to the Funeral Mass in St. Mary’s Parish in St. Ann’s Church, Hull at 11 AM.
Burial in Hull Village Cemetery.
Charlie’s family gratefully acknowledges and thanks the entire team at Norwell VNA and Hospice, especially Cathy Harrington, Sue Ryan and Gina, Director of Social Work outreach.
Donations in Charlie’s memory may be made to the Norwell VNA and Hospice or to the Charles G. Waterhouse Memorial Scholarship, c/o Hull High School, 180 Main St., Hull, MA 02045.