Charles R. Thibodeau Jr.

GLOUCESTER - Charles R. Thibodeau Jr., 83, of Gloucester, a former resident of Westford where he coached Little League and was an umpire, died Friday evening, Oct. 17, at his residence after a brief illness. For more than 20 years, he was the companion of Helen "Evon" Johnson.

He was born in Gloucester, Oct. 9, 1920, a son of the late Charles R. and Delphine (Cullivan) Thibodeau.

Mr. Thibodeau worked as a machinist at Gloucester Engineering for many years. While working there, he opened Charlie's Lunch Counter which served homemade specialties to co-workers. He retired in 1986.

For a short time, he was an auxiliary police officer in Rockport, and in his early years, he was a Little League coach and umpire in Westford.

He was an avid golfer having made two holes in one two weeks apart on the 9th hole at Candlewood in Ipswich.

He also enjoyed playing cribbage, cooking, spending time with his dog Shadow and was a CB enthusiast with the handle of "The Noon Napper."

He spent many summers on his boat the "Oh Wow" at the Gloucester Marina, entertaining relatives and friends.

For several years, he was part of the men's choir at St. Joachim's Church in Rockport.

He was a member of the Gloucester Lodge of Elks 892, Edward Peterson Post Number 98, the Rockport American Legion and the Loyal Order of Cape Ann Moose Lodge 1471.

Besides his companion, Mr. Thibodeau is survived by three sons, Charles R. Thibodeau III and his wife Stacey, Stephen R. Thibodeau and Wesley A. Thibodeau, all of Gloucester; five daughters, Margaret "Peg" Kiefer and her husband Walt, of Chelmsford, Mary Dianne Bellegarde and her husband Warren, of Gloucester, Elizabeth A. Gillis and her husband Stephen, of Gloucester, Joan "Buffy" Lee and her companion Bruce Rowell, of Rockport, and Christina C. Ackerman and her husband David, of Gloucester.

He also leaves16 grandchildren, Karin Marie Savoie of Nashua, Susan Wood of Connecticut, Lee Ann Bellegarde, Corey Thibodeau, Katelyn Thibodeau, Kelsey Thibodeau, Molly Ackerman, Emily Ackerman and Sarah Ackerman, all of Gloucester, Scott Wonkka of Colorado, Todd Wonkka of California, Jeana Hale of Conway, N.H., Annie Thibodeau, Michael Lee and Matthew Lee, all of Rockport and Samantha Thibodeau of North Carolina; also 15 great-grandchildren.

He also leaves a brother-in-law, Phil Danna of Gloucester; his dear friends, Don and Sue Johnson, and their daughter Cindy Lucido, and Steven and Nancy Johnson, and their children Stacy and Jay, all of Gloucester; many nieces and nephews.

He was also the grandfather of the late Michael E. Kiefer; brother of the late Mary Danna and Ellen Sheehan; and former husband of the late M. Marie Thibodeau.