1942-2012
Charles Carroll "Chuck" Larson, age 70, of Dunkirk was called to his Heavenly Home Tuesday, July 17, 2012 at Buffalo General Hospital, surrounded by his wife Nancy and children after a brave battle with cancer.
He was born in Jamestown General Hospital on Jan. 4, 1942, the son of the late Carroll H. Larson and Anna E. Larson.
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Charles C. Larson
Charles attended elementary school in Lakewood and West Ellicott schools for two years; middle and high school at
Southwestern Central from which he graduated in 1960. He attended Mohawk Valley Technical Institute in Utica, NY, graduating with an Associate Degree in Business Management. Charles worked as a technician in pest management for 39 years with Hydro Fumigating in Jamestown and retired from Comfort Pest Control in Dunkirk in 2004. Over the years, he made many friends in the business establishments he serviced and often spoke of the friendships developed and the people he missed that had made a lasting impression.
Charles was a past member of Gloria Dei Lutheran Church in Lakewood and currently a member of St. Paul Lutheran Church in Fredonia, where he married his wife, Nancy Lee (Cave) Larson, on April 6, 1979 and whom he always affectionately referred to as "his bride." Charles worshipped at St. Paul's faithfully with his wife and participated in many of the church activi-ties, especially St. Paul's annual "Chicken Barbecue."
He held various Church offices and served as an Elder for a number of years. Other memberships included the Kosciuszko Polish Home, Dom Polski Club, World War II Vets and the Northern Chautauqua County Federation as
well as a life member of the Big Tree Rod & Gun Club. He was a past member of the Northern Chautauqua County Conservation Club, Dunkirk Fourth Ward Falcons Club and the Falconer Rod & Gun Club, where he enjoyed many years participating in shooting skeet. Charles and his wife Nancy were active in Ducks Unlimited and served on the banquet committee for many years.
As a sportsman, Charles enjoyed the years he went deer hunting, especially with his son Tim and friends, and spent a number of years hunting birds in the mid- and far west states.
Over the years, Charles especially enjoyed cooking and excelled in making homemade wine from various types of local grapes and berries, receiving numerous awards for the wine he entered at the Chautauqua County Fair.
He enjoyed gifting his wine to family and friends and took great pleasure in making wine the old-fashioned method by crushing the grapes or berries.
He received much pleasure from his vegetable garden that was located on the "Ponderosa" adjacent to his home and would bask in the sun quietly watching the plants grow.
He will be remembered by his friends he played cards with after he retired, sharing his wine with them.
When his children were younger, Charles would take them camping for their vacations, making many wonderful memories. Many other cherished memories include going to "Camp at Last" at Uncle Gunnard's cabin in Barcelona with the Larson aunts, uncles and cousins which has continued for more than 50 years.
Charles and Nancy had many fond memories from their vacations to Hawaii, Bermuda and Mexico, and vacationing with their friends, Michael and Sandy Swanson. Charles enjoyed conversing with his friends in the neighborhood and was also a good listener.
Charles is survived by his loving wife, Nancy; a daughter, Lori Jones of Frisco, Texas; son Timothy (Julie) Larson of Medina, Ohio and beloved grandchildren Dalton Gillispie, Mylee Jones, Haley and Nathan Larson. He is also survived by a sister, Doris Landy of Lakewood; sisters-in-law Patricia (Dennis "Harvey") Fiegl and Joyce (Arthur) Purol; and several nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews, whom he loved and had great admiration for.
Charles was predeceased by his parents.
A Christian funeral service will be conducted on Friday morning at 10 o'clock in St. Paul Lutheran Church with Rev. William Novack officiating.
Family and friends will be received at the R. Mackowiak Funeral Home Inc., 56 East Doughty Street in Dunkirk on Thursday from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. Burial will be in St. Mary's Cemetery, Dunkirk.
Memorials, if desired, may be made to St. Paul Lutheran Church, 334 Temple St., Fredonia, NY 14063.
