Charles P. Rio

Charles P. Rio of Hudson, passed away peacefully on November 10 after a long, courageous battle with cancer surrounded by his family. He was two months short of his 85th birthday.

Charlie was the son of Elvira (Coute) and John P. Rio of Hudson and lived there most his life. He was a proud Veteran of WWII, serving with the U.S. Army Air Corps. In 1943, he graduated from the 23rd College Training Detachment at the University of Buffalo, NY, and served as a bombardier/navigator on a P-61 aircraft as part of the 415th Night Fighter Squadron in the European Theater. He was awarded the Purple Heart after being wounded on an intruder mission over Germany in 1945. He was promoted to 1st Lieutenant, recalled as an instructor in navigation in 1951 at Connolly Air Force Base in Waco, TX, and honorably discharged in 1953.

In 1947, he married Josephine (Jo) Ripanti of Hopkinton, and they shared 61 wonderful years together in the home that he built in Hudson. He was the beloved dad of two daughters - Paulette and her husband Lance Thomas of Hyannis, and Debra and her husband Kevin Murphy of Marlborough. He is also survived by his sister, Carmelyn and her husband Joe Borroz of Sierra Vista, AZ; his brother, John and Holly Rio of Tucson, AZ; his brother, Alfred and Marie Rio of Hudson; and many nieces and nephews.

Charlie worked for many years for Household Finance as a branch manager, at Shawmut Bank and then Shawmut Community Bank in Framingham as manager of consumer credit, and retired as assistant treasurer from Marlborough Savings Bank in 1983.

An avid golfer, he was a member of the Marlborough Country Club for 38 years where he served on the board of directors for several terms. He was also a member of Saint Michael's Church in Hudson. Many people will remember Charlie for his sense of humor, his warm hugs, his strong character, his optimistic attitude, and his devoted love for God, his wife, and his family.

A funeral Mass will be held at 9 a.m. on Saturday, November 15th at Saint Michael's Church, 21 Manning St. in Hudson with internment at the Forestvale Cemetery in Hudson. Visiting hours are on Friday, November 14th from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Tighe-Hamilton Funeral Home, 50 Central Street, in Hudson.

(www.tighehamilton.com)

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in honor of Charles Rio to The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, Donor Services, P.O. Box 4072, Pittsfield, MA 01202, or you may donate through their

"Memorials and Tributes"

web page at http://www.

leukemia-lymphoma.org