Charles Mathers

WILLIAMSBURG – Charles Mathers passed away March 9, 2024, after a brief illness. The son of Robert Marsh Mathers and Arolyn Prouty Mathers, he was born May 1, 1937. The ninth child and baby of the family, he was cherished and loved. He grew up on a small family farm in Williamsburg with his two brothers and six sisters.
Charles was a hard worker and had a varied work career. He worked on the family farm, collected eggs at a neighbor’s farm, started a business, C&J Trucking, with his brother John, drove a team of horses for Wales Logging, worked for the Town of Williamsburg burning brush and digging telephone pole holes, drove trucks for Kimball Carey, and learned to operate heavy equipment for Lane Construction. He found his niche and his dream job when he became an operating engineer and worked for the family business of Roy M. Wright and T&M Wright Equipment. He was a member of IUOE Local 98 for 41 years.
Charles had few hobbies or interests outside of working. If he wasn’t puttering at his own home, he most likely could be found at a family member’s home helping on some project. He gifted his family with his time and showed his love by helping and working by their side. As a young man he went hunting in Maine, and he helped out during sugar season at Parson’s Farm. He was a member of the Burgy Bullets Snowmobile Club and Hilltown Snowmobile Club. He and his wife snowmobiled all over western Massachusetts with friends, and for 25 years he traveled to New Hampshire, Maine, and Canada for annual family snowmobile vacations with his children and their families. Charles also enjoyed square dancing and could be found at the Grange dancing when the work in the fields was done. It was at a square dance where he met the love of his life.
In 1959, he married Maureen Ann Goulet and modeled love and true commitment for over 63 years. They raised three children, instilling in each of them the value of family and hard work. Charles always felt blessed by his large and extended family. His favorite time was time spent with his wife, his children, their partners, and his three grandsons, four granddaughters and his great-grandson. Add in a weekend project like clearing land and building a house and Charles felt it was a party. Charles loved his siblings and their partners and adored his 26 nieces and nephews, 30 great-nieces and nephews, and many cousins. He cherished them all and helped keep the family connected by taking his turn in hosting the Mathers family reunions. It was a time for laughing and connecting with family.
While leaving home and work was never Charles’ first choice, he did enjoy traveling once he finally got away. Charles and Maureen traveled to Canada, Hawaii, Alaska, California, Mexico, Texas, Lake Tahoe, Missouri, and New England. He would complain about everything that wouldn’t get done while he was away, but then couldn’t stop talking about the trip when he returned.
Charles was predeceased by his parents and his brothers, Robert Marsh Mathers, Jr., and John Mathers, and his sisters, Elizabeth Bushee, Esther Sousa, Arolyn Lockwood, Anne Mathers, and Lily Rustemeyer. He leaves behind his loving wife, Maureen; his sons George Mathers (Shelley) and Michael Mathers (Karen); his daughter Charlene Nardi (David); his grandchildren, Chas Mathers, Caitlin deBros (Guy), Jessica Paquette (Jeffrey), Ryan Mathers (Ashley), Shelly Ewell (David), Jacqueline Mathers (Jordan), Anthony Nardi (Meghan); great-grandson George T. Mathers (son of Chas and Kessinee); his sister Lucy Michaud; and many loving nieces and nephews.
Charles was a good man and a wonderful husband, father, popop, uncle, and friend. If you needed him, he showed up. He made a difference in the lives of his family and will be greatly missed.
CALLING HOURS WILL BE WEDNESDAY, MARCH 20, 2024, FROM 4 P.M. TO 7 P.M. AT THE AHEARN FUNERAL HOME, 783 BRIDGE ROAD, NORTHAMPTON.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Charles’ honor/memory to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital, Shriners Hospital or consider making a blood donation to help someone else’s life.