Charles Marvin Eastham

Charles M. Eastham, aged 86, passed away peacefully on November 11, 2025 in Saddle River, NJ. at the Villa Marie Claire, in a caring, nurturing environment where Eileen could be with him. This was a prayer answered.

Born on January 6, 1939 Charles, "Chuck" lived a rich and fulfilling life marked by his love for his wife, passion for education, and giving back to society in meaningful ways. After HS, he attended Antioch College, Yellow Springs, Ohio. His coop jobs included teaching ESL to immigrants in Frontier College, Canada.

He also worked as a staff member at Spring Lake Ranch, Vermont, helping recovered mentally ill, & substance abuse patients to reestablish a new clean life. This reflected his commitment to helping others integrate and succeed.

He graduated from Boston University with a master's degree in history. In 1963 he was drafted into the Army, and passed away on Veterans Day 11/11/2025

Professionally, Chuck was a Sr Disability Claims Representative at Guardian Life Insurance, in NYC.

Chuck met his future wife, Eileen, at Antioch College. They shared their love, built memories-a journey of joy, adventure and mutual respect, lasting thru 57 years of marriage.

Together they travelled extensively, especially enjoying their trips to Switzerland where they took mountaintop walks in the Bernese Oberland. Chuck's favorite was the "grandmother's" walk from Mannlichen to Kleine Scheidegg. It afforded a full view of the Eiger, Monch and Jungfrau.

There were distant sounds of bells as the cows grazed. An occasional herd of goats, and some sheep passed by. On one visit there was a mountaintop worship-baptism service which included yodeling, and Alpen horns, flanked by sunflowers. Congregants wore traditional clothing.

They were active members of the Rutherford Congregational Church. Chuck's favorite projects were making chocolate covered, coconut eggs in the annual "factory", fund raising thru script sales, and participating in activities of the couples club.

They contributed to community well-being through their involvement with the Rutherford Green Team, engaging in environmental conservation efforts and local discussions. Chuck enjoyed the camaraderie as he worked in the Community Garden, the Boro Tree Nursery, and the future Rails to Trails project.

They have been involved in a monthly discussion group where members presented topics and activities. Chuck has offered many well researched papers on his varied interests.

In his younger days, he and Eileen enjoyed camping, skiing, sailing (their Phantom cartop boat), exercising using walking sticks around town, joining monthly summer evening bike rides with the Green Team and attending NYC theatre.

Chuck is survived by his wife,

Eileen (Gran) Eastham;

Siblings: Loura (Eastham) Barr and husband Guy,

Jean Eastham Wilder;

Sister-in-law Lenore (Gran) DePace and husband Joe;

Brother-in-law David Gran and wife Patrice;

And several nieces and nephews.

Ginger (Wilder) Morelli,

Trey Barr

Laura (Cushman) Sturdevant

Mark Cushman

Sarah (Cushman) Leonard

Jessica (Gran) Ammer

Kristen (Gran) Quiroga

Lorin Gran-Park

He is predeceased in death by his parents,

James M. and Audell (Jones) Eastham,

his brother, James E. Eastham,

brother-in-law, Delma ("Buddy") Wilder

sister-in-law Karen (Gran) Chapin

Chuck's ashes will be interred privately.

In lieu of Flowers, contributions can be made in his name to organizations that reflect his values and commitments. (Fair Housing Council of Northern Bergen County), FairhousingNJ.org or (Spring Lake Ranch, Cuttingsville, VT) SpringLakeRanch.org.

A Celebration of Charles' life will be in the Spring.

Please send your memories/pictures to Eillen as well.