Charles Allen Castor

CHARLES A. CASTOR
February 21, 1949 - January 3, 2025
It breaks our hearts to announce the unexpected passing of Charles Allen Castor, 75, of Essex Junction on Friday, January 3, 2025 at the UVM Medical Center, surrounded by his loved ones.
Charlie was born February 21, 1949 in Somerville, MA, the oldest of three children of Charles and Mary (MacDonald) Castor. The family, along with Charlie's three cousins whom his mother adopted when she was 18 following their mother's - Mary's sister's - death, relocated to their family home in Reading, MA where Charlie, with his cherished sisters Mary Josephine, Emily, and favorite cousin/third sister Geraldine (Geri/Deanie) Reppucci was able to enjoy one of the happiest childhoods a boy could ask for.
Charlie began his lifelong love a air with summer during his youth, with days spent playing with his friends, nights keeping those buddies he believed were unjustly not allowed back home until late company, and weekend trips with the family to Good Harbor Beach in Gloucester, MA.
Raised in the parochial school system of greater Boston, Charlie graduated from Reading Memorial High School in 1966. While still in high school, he developed his incredible work ethic at the neighborhood McDonalds where he got a job to help with the family finances. Following graduation, Charlie worked in the naval shipyards of Charlestown, MA as a Fire Controlman apprentice. Charlie and many of those same friends from Reading graduated to apartments adjacent to Fenway Park, with designer suits, fast motorcycles, and nice cars that got covered in sand in beach parking lots.
This period of Charlie's life was not without tragedy. His family su ered greatly following the shocking death of his sister, Mary Jo, in 1970. Charlie's strength during this di cult time is still remembered today. His mother's death followed by what he attributed to a broken heart on Mother's Day, 1972.
Soon after, Charlie headed north to Vermont in search of peace. Although he hated trading the Atlantic for Lake Champlain, and complained he now had to drive to Montreal to find a decent suit, he made the Green Mountain State his home until his passing, finding the slower pace better suited to his relaxed personality. While living in Vermont, Charlie lost his father on Father's Day, 1982. Charlie's life was forever changed following the birth of his son Ben in 1988. He selflessly dedicated the next 36 years to him, loving him with every bit of his heart and providing Ben with the same incredible childhood he himself had enjoyed, including the yearly pilgrimage from Vermont to Good Harbor. Charlie often stated he had no idea what it was to be a man until he had his son.
Charlie worked as a plant manager for nearly a decade before discovering a gift for project management. This aptitude led him through positions at multiple companies while obtaining his Bachelor's in Business Management from Champlain College, to a nearly 20-year career with Springer-Miller Systems in Stowe. During this time, Charlie would often wake before 4 AM to complete the coursework for his Master's Degree in Innovation and Information Technology, also from Champlain.
As with all his arduous undertakings, he completed this without complaint, although he was greatly aided by study-buddy Clownie, his cat, who ensured he'd graduate summa cum laude. Since 2016, Charlie worked as an IT Project Manager with the Vermont Department of Health. When asked about retirement, he would often give a small chuckle and say "then what would I do?"
During his tenure at Springer-Miller, Charlie began a relationship with old friend Suzan (always "Suzie" to Charlie) Fairbairn. Suzie came equipped with a grown son, Garth Fairbairn, whom Charlie had known since his birth in 1979. Charlie and Suzie quickly fell deeply in love and were married in 2002. February 23rd would have marked the 23rd year of their wonderful marriage. After getting married, the two moved to their meticulously-maintained home in Essex Junction, where they enjoyed time with friends and family, free summer concerts courtesy of their proximity to the fairgrounds, and hosting holidays - particularly loved ones' birthday parties.
Adding to the joy of this last chapter of his life was the realization of his lifelong dream of having a pool in his backyard. Perhaps no man in history has loved his swimming pool more than Charlie Castor.
Charlie will be remembered for many things - his honor, his integrity, his tenacity, his gentleness, his patriotism. If Charlie thought something was the right thing to do, he did it. If Charlie thought something was wrong, he righted it. If Charlie loved you, you knew it. Charlie was the man who remembered the anniversary/birthday/special occasion. He was the man who always sent a card. He was the man who always called weekly. In talking with relatives following his passing it was incredible to discover just how many family members he had been sending live, three-foot Christmas trees for the Holidays. He felt no one should be without a Christmas tree.
Charlie is survived by his wife Suzie of Essex Junction, son Ben and fiancée Caitlyn Morrison of Burlington, stepson Garth Fairbairn and partner Liz Ryan of Burlington, sister Emily Errico of Reading, MA, adoptive sister Geraldine West of Wakefield, MA, godson Michael Doherty of Boston, MA, and several beloved cousins.
Visitation will be held on Saturday, January 18, from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m. at the Ready Funeral Home, 261 Shelburne Road, Burlington, followed by a service, 11:00 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the funeral home. A celebration of life will be held from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. at the Essex VFW, Post 6689, 73 Pearl Street, Essex Junction.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to one of Charlie's favorite charities: Wounded Warrior Project, P.O. Box 758516, Topeka, KS 66675; USO, P.O. Box 96860, Washington, DC 20077-7677; From Feral to Furever Rescue, 49 Pine Street, Swanton, VT 05488.
Arrangements are entrusted to the Ready Funeral and Cremation Services. To send online condolences please visit www.readyfuneral.com.