CHARLES MARTIN PATCH Sr.

CHARLES MARTIN PATCH SR. JOHNSON - Charles Martin Patch Sr., 79, of Johnson, passed away Monday, Nov. 8, 2010, after several years of failing health. Charlie was born Sept. 14, 1931, in Richmond, to Theodore and Cynthia (Miller) Patch. He lived most of his life in Johnson, beginning on the "Big Farm" owned by his father. He served in the US Army from 1950 to 1952. He married Winona "Winnie" Davis on Jan. 4, 1951. In 1953 Charlie went to Toledo, OH, to learn the skill of meat cutting, which led him to many years of public service with IGA and Grand Union markets, and later to his own custom operation at the farm. In 1960 he and Winnie purchased the Ruggles Family Farm which they operated for 40 years. In 1970 a career change led him to farming. He and Winnie retired from farming in 1987. He was a member of the Waterman Masonic Lodge #83 in Johnson as well as the American Legion, Post #46, of Johnson. Charlie will be known to those who knew him for the stories he told of hunting and his adventures through life, as well as his full beard, handlebar eyebrows, loud voice and wholesome laugh. He is survived by four children, Carol Houston and husband Daniel of Charlotte, N.C., Charles "Bo" Patch Jr. and wife Rachael of Johnson, Linda Pearson and husband Charlie of Gorham, ME, Michael Patch and wife Lisa of Johnson; 12 grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. He leaves behind a good friend and hunting partner, Rick Langdell of Morrisville; a brother-in-law, Merton Davis and wife Marge of Homosassa, Fla.; and many nieces and nephews. A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m., Wednesday, Nov. 24, 2010 at the WhiteFiess Funeral Home, 165 Brooklyn St., Morrisville. There will be no visiting hours. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Vermont Division of the Alzheimer's Association, 300 Community Drive, Suite 128, Williston, VT 05495; Make a Wish Foundation, 100 Dorset Street, Suite 14, S. Burlington, VT 05403; St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN 38105; or the charity of your choice.