Charles I. Gerstenmaier of Mystic, Conn., and a lifelong Darien resident until recently, passed away March 1, 2016 at the age of 91.
Funeral arrangements are private for Charles I. Gerstenmaier, who passed away March 1 at the age of 91.
He was the son of Charles and Irene Gerstenmaier of Darien.
Charles served in the Air Force in World War II, attaining the rank of sergeant. During transit to India, his ship, the Rohna, was sunk in the Mediterranean Sea by German forces using a radio-controlled rocket. Twelve hundred men lost their lives in the attack. Charles was awarded the Purple Heart.
A charter member of the VFW, member of the Noroton Heights Volunteer Fire Department, the Order of the Purple Heart, and the Senior Men’s Association, Charles enjoyed family, travel, photography, reading, and spending time at the Darien Library.
He retired from General Electric in 1986.
Surviving Charles are his wife, Kathryn, and five children: Lyn (Bill) LaFontaine of Mystic, Keith (Julie) of Bethel, Craig of Southbury, Lori (Ray) Filosa of Mystic, David (Susan) of Norwalk, six grandchildren and one great grandson.
He was predeceased by sisters Norma Isselee of Wellsville, Penn., Ruth Leonard and Muriel Nolan of Darien, and brother Douglas of Vermont.
There will be no calling hours; burial will be private.
POEM by Charles
We are born, journey through life.
Experience love, joy, beauty and fear.
Do not shed a tear for me because
I was here. Remember the good times.
I now depart on my journey to I know not where.
Charlie (Bud) Gerstenmaier
Father. Husband. Friend.
Charlie (Bud) Gerstenmaier Father. Husband. Friend.