Charles Edward Armstrong

Armstrong, Charles Edward GANSEVOORT Charles Edward Armstrong, 88 of Wilton, passed away peacefully with his family at his side on February 13, 2021. Chuck was born on December 28, 1932, to Mae and Raymond Armstrong of Albany. After graduating from Albany High School in 1950, he entered the Marine Corps and proudly served his country as Staff Sergeant from 1951-1954. He was a member of the (Skulley) North Albany 1610 Post of the American Legion. He attended Sienna College for business from 1954-1956. In 1956 he met the love of his life, his next-door neighbor, Shirley Kircher. They fell in love and were married on September 7, 1957. The following year their first child was born, and shortly after, the couple moved to Connecticut, where they raised six children. 12 Winslow Terrace was home for 25 years, a place for neighbors and family to gather for barbeques and sledding from the top of their hill. Chuck was known for his minibikes, tractor rides, hosting epic clambakes, and Friday night cocktails. Neighbors that became family include the Seymour's, Carstensen's, Scanlon's, Hartmeyer's, O'Neill's, Thibodeau's, Stauder's, Kinne's, and Lopezzo's. Treasured memories include visits to and from the "city" cousins-the Feldman's, Mink's, Kircher's, and Lehto's, which meant long weekends with up to 16 kids in the house. Protestant by birth, he regularly contributed to St. Stephen's Catholic School and Church, where his family attended. Chuck never missed an opportunity to assist people in need and quietly gifted family and strangers alike. He had a successful career in sales with Hager Foods of Bridgeport and Giltex Manufacturing of North Haven. The couple moved to Pennsylvania for five years to help their daughter in a family business and later retired to Wilton, N.Y. Family meant everything to Chuck. He adored his wife and showered her with romantic gifts and notes; their 63-year marriage was one of devotion and laughter. His office (or cave) was a place he often sat and reflected on the blessings of his life, surrounded by family photos covering every inch of wall space. Chuck was predeceased by his parents Mae and Raymond Armstrong; his sisters, Virginia Armstrong and Gloria Lehto; and two grandchildren: Nicole Stark and Gabriel Armstrong. He will be forever cherished by his wife Shirley Armstrong of Wilton; daughter Pamela (Bob) Adzima of Las Vegas, daughter Linda (Mike) Gasper of Sarasota, son Mark (Lina) Armstrong of San Bernadino, daughter Cindy (Cliff) Stark of South Glens Falls, son Kirk (Paula) Armstrong of Chicago, and daughter Gail (Don) Dewey of Hopewell Junction. He was called Papa or Gramps by 20 grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren, and two more great-grandchildren yet to arrive. Chuck often joked about the desire for a good old fashioned Irish wake-he was Irish by marriage. The plan he wrote on a cocktail napkin years ago cannot be fulfilled in person due to social distancing requirements. So, if you cannot visit his casket, know he wanted an open bar and buffet, and only those who voiced good wishes could toast him with a shot of whiskey. OORAH! Immediate family may call from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, February 18, 2021, at Compassionate Funeral Care, 402 Maple Ave., Saratoga Springs. A Mass service will be held at 11 a.m. on Thursday, February 18, 2021, in St. Clement's Church, 231 Lake Ave., Saratoga Springs with Father Martin Fisher officiating. Interment with military honors will be held at 12:30 p.m. at Gerald B.H. Solomon Saratoga National Cemetery, 200 Duell Road, Schuylerville, following the Mass service. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.