Charles M. Patton

NATICK Charles M. Patton, 79, of Natick, died Sunday, July 27, 2008, at his home surrounded by family. He was the husband of Dorothy A. (Allenbaugh) Patton, and they were married for 41 years. A Natick resident for 40 years, he was born in Dorchester, the son of the late Joseph and Katherine (MacKay) Patton. Mr. Patton lived his life with tremendous intensity, courage and passion, overcoming physical limitations since the age of 13. Adventure, hard work and determination were characteristics shown since his early working career, beginning with jobs in the railroad and shipyards of Boston. He then owned and operated two gas stations in Framingham, and later became a technical writer and illustrator for the Raytheon Corporation. He was an avid sailor and navigator, and two-time winner of the Lambert Cup. Mr. Patton was a scholar in world cultures, history, science, and maintained a lifelong interest in learning. He was a graduate of Vespar George School of Art of Boston and studied biology at Boston University. In addition to his wife he is survived by seven children, Stephen Patton and his wife, Wendy, of Pennsylvania, Susan Ross and her husband, Mark, of Utah, Donald Scott Patton of Arlington, Sally Halcovage of Pennsylvania, Sandra Owen and her husband, David, of Ashland, Sarah Gulla and her husband, Paul, of Hopedale, and Emily Patton of Natick; 12 grandchildren, and his former wife, Barbara Jean Hamilton. He was also the brother of the late Donald Crawford Patton and Mary Patton. Relatives and friends are invited to attend a funeral service on Wednesday, July 30, at 10 a.m. in the Wellesley Congregational Village Church, 2 Central St., Wellesley. Burial will follow in the Edgell Grove Cemetery in Framingham. Visiting hours in the John Everett and Sons Funeral Home, 4 Park St., at Natick Common, are Tuesday, July 29, from 5 to 8 p.m. Expressions of sympathy may be made in his memory to the Circle of Caring Hospice, 2042 Beacon St., Newton, MA 02468, or to Hillsdale College, 33 E. College St., Hillsdale, MI 49242.