Cover photo for Charles H. " Charlie" Elwood Jr.'s Obituary
Charles H. " Charlie" Elwood Jr. Profile Photo

Charles H. " Charlie" Elwood Jr.

September 1, 1925 — May 8, 2018

Charles H. " Charlie" Elwood Jr.

Charles “Charlie” H. Elwood Jr. passed away on May 8, 2018 at the age of 92 at the Apple Valley Center in Ayer. Beloved husband of Margaret “Peggy” (Roberts) Elwood, to whom he was married for 71 years. He is also survived by a Son, Charles G., and his wife Laura of Enfield, Connecticut and their three children, Danielle, Christian and Graham; a Son, Jason A., and his wife Linda of Dunstable, MA and their three sons Dustin, Drew, and Neil; and Daughter Donna C. Orlando of New Port Richey, FL and her three sons, Darryl, Dexter, and Brandon. Charles is also survived by four great-granddaughters. Charles is predeceased by his son, Charles H. Elwood III. He was the brother of the late Evelyn Butterfield, Janice Bernard, and twin brothers Ronald and Robert Elwood.

Charlie was born in North Billerica, MA, the son of the late Charles and Gladys Elwood. He graduated from Howe High School, Class of 1943, and was president of his class for four years, in addition to being a member of the National Honor Society. In March of 1943, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy. Following boot camp in Newport, RI, Charles attended visual communications school and became an instructor at Newport, and then at Sampson, NY Navy Base. He was assigned duty on the minesweeper, U.S.S. Skylark, and was a survivor of the sinking of that ship in the Battle of Okinawa. Charlie was honorably discharged as Signalman 1st Class in 1946 with the following ribbons: Purple Heart, Good Conduct, American Campaign, Asiatic Pacific, World War II Medal, and the Commemorative Action Medal.

Charlie graduated from Boston University with a Bachelor of Science in Business, and received his Masters in Education from Fitchburg State College. He worked for the Burroughs Corporation for three years, then at Northeast Hobby Distributors as Chief Financial Officer prior to the purchase of the Groton Country Club, with partner George Moore, in 1954. Charlie and George owned and operated the G.C.C. for 27 years, then sold it to Wang Laboratories. Charlie ran the business for Wang for seven and a half years.

Charlie retired at the age of 63, then continued to teach golf at Mt. Snow Golf School in Vermont on weekends, for over 17 years. He belonged to the V.F.W., American Legion, Tahattawan Lodge AF & AM, Lowell Consistory and Boston Consistory, and Aleppo Temple Shrine. He was past president of Groton Rotary Club, member of the P.G.A. of America and New England P.G.A. Senior Division, and a Life Member of the New Hampshire Golf Course Superintendents Association.

Charlie enjoyed spending time with his family, golfing, hunting, boating, and traveling. He will be deeply missed by his friends and family.


Visiting hours for Charlie will be held Friday, May 11 from 4 to 7 PM at McGaffigan Family Funeral Home, 37 Main St., Pepperell, MA. Family and friends are respectfully invited. A funeral service will be held on Saturday, May 12  at 10 AM at the Union Congregational Church, 220 Main St. Groton, MA. Burial will follow at Central Cemetery, Dunstable. For those who wish, contributions may be made to a charity of your choice.

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Past Services

Visitation

Friday, May 11, 2018

4:00 - 7:00 pm (Eastern time)

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Funeral Service

Saturday, May 12, 2018

Starts at 10:00 am (Eastern time)

Union Congregational Church

218 Main Street, Groton, MA 01450

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