Charles C. Koontz

Charles C. "Charlie/Chuck" Koontz, 81, of Wilmington, Massachusetts, and formerly of Hopkinton, New Hampshire, passed away peacefully on September 27, 2025, at Lahey Hospital in Burlington. Born on September 11, 1944, in Huntington, West Virginia, he was the son of Louis G. Koontz Jr. and Helen M. (Wolfe) Koontz.

Charlie's early years were marked by frequent moves due to his father's career with Sylvania Electric. In 1958, his family settled in Seneca Falls, New York, where Charlie attended Mynderse Academy and played on the football, basketball, and track teams until graduating in 1961. In 1962, he attended Michigan State University. He transferred to the University of New Hampshire and joined the ROTC program in 1963. Charlie later earned a master's in education from Plymouth State College, supporting his commitment to lifelong learning.

In early 1965, Charlie met his beloved wife, Barbara Lynn Clayton, "Lynn", at a political rally supporting free speech. They were soon married, and their elder daughter, Barbara, was born in 1966. Their younger daughter, Thea, was born in 1970 in Papillion, Nebraska.

In 1967, Charlie started as a U.S. Air Force intelligence officer in Denver, Colorado. In 1971, he was deployed to Saigon, Vietnam. On his days off, he taught English to young children at Saigon's Phu My Orphanage. After leaving active duty, he served in the Reserves until retiring as a Major in 1984.

Charlie worked for the State of New Hampshire for 36 years. Most of this time, he served as a Supervisor in Child Support Enforcement. After retiring, he continued working part-time for the State as a data analyst until he formally retired in 2012.

Charlie's commitment to public service extended to his community involvement. He served as Treasurer for the State Employees' Association/SEIU Local 1984 (SEA), participated in local politics with the NH Democratic Party, served on the N.H. Federal Credit Union Board, and was appointed to the Hopkinton, NH Town Board of Appeals for several years.

Charlie was known for his dry humor and sharp wit. He enjoyed traveling, the arts, reading, and discussing current events. He liked hiking, skiing, and spending time at the ocean. He also loved the family's many pets; spending hours tossing a ball for the dogs to fetch and enjoying cats napping on his lap.

Charlie had an uncanny knack for always knowing his bearings-north, south, east, or west-no matter where he found himself, earning him the affectionate nickname "Dingo" from his beloved grandchildren, Quinn and Alexis Davis.

Charlie is survived by his loving wife of 60 years, Lynn; his daughters, Barbara Alevras (husband, Gregory) of Wilmington, MA, and Thea Davis (husband, Paul), of Bedford, NH; his grandchildren, Alexis and Quinn Davis; his sister, Barbara Hollis (husband, Jeffrey) of Florida; his sister-in-law, Lee Gaudet (husband, Ed) of Laconia, NH; and several cousins, nieces, and nephews.

Please join us in commemorating Charlie's life on Saturday, October 25, 2025, from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. at Nichols Funeral Home, 187 Middlesex Avenue (Rte. 62), Wilmington, MA. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in Charlie's memory to the Pope Memorial SPCA, 94 Silk Farm Road, Concord, NH 03301.

To share a memory or offer condolences, please visit www.nicholsfuneralhome.com.