Charles A. Waite

WORCESTER - Charles A. Waite, 87, of Worcester, passed away peacefully on Monday, April 13, 2015 under the loving care of his family and the staff at Knollwood Nursing Center in Worcester. Born and raised in Winfield, Kansas, Charlie was the son of Delmar and Sarah (Johnstone) Waite.

His beloved wife of 60 years, Theresa M. (Mascioli) Waite died in 2013. He leaves his loving daughter, Janet Cyganski and her husband David of Holden; his grandson, Nicholas Charles Cyganski of Holden, with whom he shared a deep and special bond and who was the source of his greatest pride; three sisters, Frances Johnson of Missouri, Edith Dana of New Mexico and Sarah Jane Snell of Kansas; a step brother, Darvin Waite of Illinois; two sister-in-laws, Jennie Chouinard and Barbara Goneau and a brother-in-law, Philip Goneau all of Clinton. He is predeceased by two brothers, Delmer, and Leon Waite and a sister Leora Pettit.

Charlie was raised on a wheat and cattle ranch in Kansas and educated in a one room school house. He ran a dairy farm before enlisting in the United States Army where he honorably served his country as a sergeant first class during the Korean War Era from 1948 to 1953. He was stationed for a time in London and served in the Army Corp of Engineers. He credits the army for providing him with the knowledge and skill he needed to begin his career as a heavy equipment operator. Charlie was one of the few remaining “ atomic veterans” from operation "Tumbler Snapper" in Nevada. This little known group of veterans witnessed first hand the testing and effects of the atomic bomb. Charlie walked through ground zero immediately after several test blasts. This experience remained in his memory for his lifetime.

In 1952, Charlie married the love of his life, Theresa M. Mascioli. They traveled by car across the United States several times back and forth from coast to coast, passing through or stopping in 47 states in their travel. In 1958 they settled in Clinton where Charlie planned and built their family home.

Charlie enjoyed flower gardening as well as growing and sharing his organic produce. He enjoyed woodworking and furniture making and always had a project underway. He especially enjoyed his time spent with his family. He taught his daughter to gap a spark plug and his grandson how to rebuild a tractor engine. His motto was that anything that was broken could be repaired and would be better than new.

Most of his career was spent as a heavy equipment operator for, both Bayer & Mingolla Industries and Granger-Lynch Corp. in Millbury . He was a member of the International Union of Operating Engineers, Local 4 as well as Disabled American Veterans. Charlie leaves a legacy of a strong work ethic, pride in his country and a deep love of family. He was a true gentleman, and a good friend and neighbor to all. He had a positive attitude and always saw the glass as half full. When asked how things were going, Charlie’s reply was most often, “never better”. And so it is now as he will rest once again beside his Terry-never better. Those who knew him will feel his loss tremendously.

Charlie’s family would like to thank the staff, administration, friends and neighbors of the Briarwood Community for their friendship and support. Most recently we thank staff of Knollwood Nursing Center for their outstanding care and compassion.

A funeral service for Charlie will be held privately in the Miles-Sterling Funeral and Tribute Center, 100 Worcester Rd., Sterling, followed by burial at St. John’s Cemetery in Lancaster. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Briarwood Retirement Community Residence Assistance Fund, 65 Briarwood Circle, Worcester, MA 01606.


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