Charles "Charlie" Coombs

Charles "Charlie" Coombs, beloved husband of Marsha Hilsenrad, died peacefully at his home in Brooklyn, CT on August 22, 2025. He was 85 years old.

The son of the late William and Lilla Coombs, Charlie grew up in Ivoryton, CT. He attended Valley Regional HS, where he met his first wife, Diane Potts Adam of Old Saybrook, CT. In 1959 after attending Franklin & Marshall College, they were married and had two children, Susan and David. They moved to Chestertown, MD where Charlie had a successful career as a Regional Manufacturers Rep for Chrysler Marine and then for Boston Whaler.

In 1986, Charlie married Paige Streit of Chestertown, MD. They moved to Castleton, VA, where they restored a 200-year-old Log Cabin on Mill Run in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains. The beautiful, 25-acre homestead they created and furnished with 17th century antiques was featured in several magazines. It was during this time that Charlie retired from Boston Whaler and established his fine furniture crafting business, Coombs & Brown, constructing very accurate Early American furniture reproductions for customers across the country.

Charlie and Paige eventually moved to Pomfret, CT into a beautiful manor house built circa 1750, where he continued making antique furniture reproductions in his shop on their property. After the untimely passing of Paige, Charlie met Marsha Hilsenrad and they married in 2020. They took great joy in their seasonal trips to the Maine coast and visits with family and friends in their final years together. They had just moved into a cottage in Brooklyn, CT earlier this year for Marsha to receive further care for her advanced Aphasia.

Charlie was an accomplished businessman and a great adventurer. He played baseball in college, semi-pro ice hockey in his twenties, and was a competitive nationally ranked Formula Auto racer in his forties. He travelled the world extensively and made genuine friends on every journey; Charlie never met a stranger.

Charlie was a masterful storyteller, and his epic tales of life experiences are legendary. He loved social gatherings and often held elaborate celebrations with friends. He was known for his ceremonial pomp and circumstance, particularly with his Brigantine Society, and annual Wild Game Feasts. Charlie was a magnetic character with ample charisma, and his witty sense of humor and warm, welcoming disposition will be missed by all who knew him.

Charlie is survived by his sister, Betty Coombs Austin of Essex CT, son, David Coombs (Heather) of Williamsburg VA, daughter, Susan Coombs Imperati of Old Saybrook CT, grandchildren Sadie Gross (Chris), Maeghan Christie, Joseph Imperati, Amanda Coombs, and Edward Coombs, and great granddaughter Leighton Christie. Charlie was survived by his loving wife, Marsha, who passed only five days after his passing.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, October 25, from 4pm - 6pm at the Gilman Funeral Home in Putnam, CT. Burial service will be held on Sunday, October 26 at 11am at the Centerbrook Cemetery in Centerbrook, CT, followed by a reception for family and friends at the Griswold Inn in Essex, CT. In lieu of flowers, donations to the National Aphasia Association, 5448 Apex Peakway Dr #232, Apex, NC 27502 are appreciated.