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Charles Sposato Obituary
Born in Westerly, he was the son of the late Pasquale and Juanita (Travis) Sposato and had been a resident of Framingham for over 40 years.
A teacher in the Framingham School Department for over 30 years, he taught at Farley Middle School, Framingham South High School and Framingham High School. From 2000 until 2007, he was the founding principal of the MATCH Charter High School in Boston. In 1990 he was selected as Massachusetts State Teacher of the Year and prior to that was selected as a finalist for the Teacher in Space.
He was a 1970 graduate of Boston College earning a bachelor of arts degree with honors. He received his master's degree in education from Framingham State College in 1974.
His community leadership included being a member of the National Council of Teachers of English, a Framingham Public Library trustee, a member of the parish council of St. Stephen's Church in Framingham, a Eucharistic Minister, a member of the Massachusetts Teachers Association, the Framingham Teachers Association, Massachusetts Teachers of the Year Association, the Massachusetts Teachers Academy, Naples Institute, Kappa Delta Pi Honor Society, the N.E.A., Massachusetts Community Service Learning, and D.O.E.
He was awarded the Citizen of the Year by the Framingham Rotary Club and was an adjunct professor at Framingham State College from 1994 to 2001.
He loved spending time with his grandchildren. Besides his wife, he is survived by two daughters, Melissa Sposato-Madden and her husband Barrett of Framingham and Martha Sposato-Turner and her husband Gregory of Hudson; a brother, Ronald Sposato and his wife Lucille of Westerly; a grandson, Owen Turner; two granddaughters, Bailey Turner and Marin Madden; his father- and mother-in-law, Phil and Betty O'Connell of Framingham; and many nieces and nephews.
A Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Thursday, Dec. 20, at 11 a.m. in St. Linus Church, 119 Hartford St., Natick, Mass. Burial will be private. Calling hours at the Eugene J. McCarthy and Sons Funeral Home, 11 Lincoln St., Framingham, will be on Wednesday from 3 to 7 p.m.
Memorial donations may be made to The MATCH Charter High School, c/o Alan Safran, 1001 Commonwealth Ave., Boston, MA 02215.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Charles Sposato
Sponsored by Hayden D. Lee.
Melanie A.
May 1, 2025
A lovely human! <3 amazing teacher!!
Mel Reardob
April 22, 2025
We made a time capsule in his class in 1993. So fun! Best books to read in that class. We love you Mr. SPO!!!
Brad Rendell
December 12, 2022
6th grade English class
I'm sitting there quietly. In a very Stern voice. Brad can I see you at my desk. Oh no what did I do?
I walk up to the desk tail between my legs.
Can you hand me my pencil?
I love u Mr. Spo.
Nina M Ruff
December 12, 2022
Just dropped by, your in my thoughts today, just found a memo that you would send to the parents. Then got an email. We miss you and a year does not go by without us remember the space in our hearts and lives that you filled.
Peace & Love,
Nina & Dana
Michelle A Usseglio
February 23, 2022
Just stoppped by to say hello. Thinking of you, your girls, (all three!) and you grandbabies.
December 16, 2020
Another year passes. Thinking of you, Missing you, As always remembering how good looking you were. We Love you. Nina & Dana
December 12, 2019
In Remembrance.
Always an Open door and a Listening Ear.
We miss you.
Nina Ruff
October 14, 2017
Charles Sposato was a true "Mench" A true human being. He inspired us all, loved us all, mentored to us, prayed for us all. We love & miss you. Whatever cloud God has you on, you'll alway be "Good Looking"
Dana & Nina
Victoria Louise Wharton
January 25, 2017
God bless you Mr. Sposato, if it weren't for you, I don't think I could've handled what life threw at me.
Shannon Smith
December 25, 2010
I'm watching Dead Poets Society... I end up talking about teachers and how they handle individual students. And I start talking about Mr. Sposato. I will never forget how Mr. Sposato treated me... realizing my fears and my strengths. Treating me as an individual. He was so caring... he was inspiring and he was just special. I am so sorry he is gone - so sorry I didn't know until now. I wish every teacher was like him... he was extraordinary. Although it has been some time since his passing... I'm so sad and stunned and sorry that his presence is no longer in the schools. He will me missed.
Angela Sposato
February 25, 2009
I love you Charl.
Ang
Stefania Walton
June 11, 2008
Mr. Sposato was the most caring and compassionate man I've ever met. I am honored that my daughter and I were able to experience MATCH during his tenure as principal. He is greatly missed.
Sheri Bergers
February 24, 2008
I just learned of Mr. Sposato's passing. He was my teacher two times at FSHS, and I've often thought of getting in touch with him over the years. I wish I had. What a loss. Mr. Spo believed in everyone and connected to us all on so many levels. I hope his grandchildren will someday understand what a great man he truly was and how many lives he impacted.
Jessica Jones
January 17, 2008
Mr. Sposato was the best man i have ever met, I am soo sorry to here about him passing. I will always remember him in my thoughts and prayers. Rip You'll never be forgotten.
Latoya Thomas
January 13, 2008
To Mrs. Sposato,
Thank you so very much for sharing Mr. Spo with us.
My heart felt condolences to your family.
We love you.
Latoya Thomas-Bridgewater
Charles LoPresto
December 26, 2007
You will always be in our thoughts and prayers.We Love you and we will miss you!! Aunt Ag and Uncle Charlie
The LoPresto's
December 26, 2007
We will all miss you and your wonderful stories!! Your cousins, Chuck, Kelly, Tim, Laura Todd, Pam, Kyle, Laurie, Lauren, Danielle, Chris, Sierra, Micaela, James, Charlene, Divante, Amadi, Dorian, Mark, Sue, Tori, Carli, Aaron.
Katherine DeRosa
December 25, 2007
mr,spasato was a wonderful principal. i loved him, he always made me smile every morning when i shook his hand. he would call me katie denosa because of my last name DeRosa. he taught me alot of lessons about life and i thank him for that. after i left the Match i realized that he was right i should have stayed and got a better education. i cant believe he is gone,. i miss him and i am so sorry he passed. i send my love to his family. try to have a happy holiay through this ruff time.
love always katherine Deosa
RITA FOSTER
December 23, 2007
To the Sposato Family!
Words cannot express how everyone feels about Mr. Spo!
When my son Craig was in High School in Framingham and cared little for learning, Mr. Spo was the only teacher who CARED.
Today he is a better person for having been touched by your husband, father and grandfather.
May all our our love and memories comfort you.
brad rendell
December 22, 2007
Mr Spo. was my teacher 30 yrs ago and I still think of him often...we went to Walaces for icecream once after Ide done some thing wrong...his compassion lives in me...although I havent spoken to him in 20+ years I still shed a tear for you Mr Spo. Goobye.
Brad Rendell
Rickeina Coplin
December 22, 2007
Mr. Spo was not only a man that I respected for being a profound educator, however; he was a man that I loved and trusted as a father. I will never forget all of the conversations we shared, the visits he made to my mother's home to assure that I was well, all of the flowers he sent to my family when my grandmother passed away and I will never forget him attending my grandpa's funeral. I have laughed and cried with Spo and I will never forget him. He made my years at MATCH uplifting and he gave me someone to trust when I had no one. Thank You Mr. Sposato for believing in me, inspiring me and remaining patient and loyal to me through my hardships. You will always be in my heart. R.I.P.
-Rickeina
Colleen (Johnson) O'Connell
December 20, 2007
To the Sposato family: My thoughts and prayers are with all of you. Mr. Spo was an amazing man and our memories of him and his spirit will live on forever. I had him for English in 8th grade at Farley Middle school - he was an amazing teacher.
Craig Foster
December 20, 2007
The world has lost a great man who has touched the lives of so many people. He was a mentor to me when I was in HS is Framingham. He will be greatly missed by me and many others. I send out my deepest condolences to the family. May he leave in your hearts for ever as I know he has lived in mine.
Sharon Pough
December 20, 2007
Deepest Sympathy to the Sposato Family,
Mr. Charles Sposato you will be greatly missed. You have touched so many lives and made such an amazing impacts on others. I remember seeing you embracing my son Ernest Pough as he entered the Match school as a student. You were more than a school principal and our family will cherish the memories of you forever. You were there for us when we lose our love one. I will miss the chats we often had and to the Sposato family may God guide you during this time of grief. I will keep you in my prayers.
Deepest Heartfelt Sympathy,
Mr. & Mrs. Ernest/Sharon Pough
Samantha Harris
December 19, 2007
To The Sposato Family,
Mr. Spo was my 11th and 12th grade English teacher. He was the person who enabled me to see my full potential as both a student and a human being. He was the person who noticed me for my strengths rather than my weaknesses and who held me accountable for his high expectations of me. One day in the 12th grade Mr. Sposato gave me a short story to read. It was a story that described the attraction a moth has to a flame. Mr. Sposato and I discussed this story in depth. At the end of our conversation Mr. Spo wrote on my paper, "SAM, BE THE MOTH."…. I went home and thought about his suggestion for months. Now, 10 years later I still have this short story in my desk at home. Not a week passes where I don't remind myself to be the moth. It is because of Charlie Sposato that I am a teacher.
My heart goes out your family. Mr. Spo touched so many people’s lives. His work is that of an angel. Mr. Spo made an indelible mark upon this earth.
With love,
Samantha Harris
India and Charlie - Graduation Day
Otis Anderson
December 19, 2007
Charlie:
You will be truly remembered - and missed just the same. Your strength and inspiration helped mold my daughter, India, into the young woman she has become.
Your dedication, commitment and overall belief in the "you can" has meant alot to me and my family.
Thank you for the countless greetings, handshakes and smiles.
I will not only miss the Principal...but also the friend.
Rest in Peace. May God continue to see your mission through.
Kimberly Burch Darling
December 19, 2007
Dear Mary,
Charlie touched so many lives. Both of you are like family to me. I was glad that the last time I visited Boston, I was able to talk with Charlie on the phone. Whenever I called I would yell into the phone "Charlie! Charles Sposato. King of the old frontier!" And Charlie would tell me how terrible my singing voice was. I'll always remember his great sense of humor, his caring compassion and a true sense of tough love that has forever changed our world.
Sending you my love and prayers all the way from Detroit. My deepest condolences to you and your family.
Kimberly
Class 2006
December 19, 2007
Ronald White
December 19, 2007
We send our deepest condolences to the family of Charles Sposato. He was a great man with an even greater heart.
Michelle Usseglio
December 18, 2007
Melissa, I can't even imagine what you are feeling. My heart hurts for you, for all of you. Your father touched so many lives. I am thankful to him because he gave us you. You're family is incredible, strong, loving and giving. It's the community's turn to take care of you as you have taken care of others. I know you hurt for what Marin won't have, but fear not - she has the best of him. She has you, she has her Auntie Marty she has her Grandma. In you and through you your Daddy will live forever. I am here if you need me. I promise you an ear, a shoulder, a hot chocolate and a bag of M&M's. Love to all of you.
Shermaine Collette
December 18, 2007
TO THE SPOSATO FAMILY;
I HAD "MR. SPO" FOR ENGLISH WHEN HE TAUGHT AT FRAMINGHAM SOUTH HIGH. I ENJOYED HIS CLASS, HE MADE IT FUN AND HAD A GREAT SENSE OF HUMOR. I AM SO SORRY FOR YOUR LOSS, HE WAS A GREAT PERSON WITH A BIG HEART.
Brendan Little
December 18, 2007
Mr. Sposato was a such a force of love and understanding. He believed in me even when I didn't believe in myself. The example of his love for education helped me to get back into school. He always put so mush effort into everything he did. The main thing I learned from his life is that words are cheap. Action is what counts.
Your acts, Mr. Sposato, are living and breathing in each person you touched with your infectious love for life. You were key in forming and nurturing the better parts of my character.
We'll forever love and remember you.
Your Ever,
Brendan
Brendan Little
December 18, 2007
Mr. Sposato was a such a force of love and understanding. He believed in me even when I didn't believe in myself. The example of his love for education helped me to get back into school. He always put so mush effort into everything he did. The main thing I learned from his life is that words are cheap. Action is what counts.
Your acts, Mr. Sposato, are living and breathing in each person you touched with your infectious love for life. You were key in forming and nurturing the better parts of my character.
We'll forever love and remember you.
My condolences to all of your family.
Your Ever,
Brendan
Ed Pieroni
December 18, 2007
Dear Mary;
Our thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of grief. May your memories bring you comfort. Your friends at Caley & Whitmore Corp.
Joe Terranova
December 18, 2007
To the Sposato Family:
I am deeply saddened by Mr. Sposato's passing. He was a mentor and friend for over thirty years. My prayers are with each of you.
Natalie Mullen
December 18, 2007
To The Family of Charles Sposato: I send my condolences to all of you for your loss. I know how much he meant to you and how much you will miss him. You are in my prayers and thoughts.
Michael Duffy
December 18, 2007
Charlie's legacy lives in the thousands of children's lives that he touched. I think about him often and talk about him and what he helped to create at the MATCH school in Boston. I will carry his memory in my heart for the rest of my life.
Teresa Rodriguez
December 18, 2007
Dear Mrs. Sposato,
I am writing to express my condolescences to your whole family. Charlie had an office across the hall from me when I was a second year teacher at Framingham High School during the 1997-1998 school year. As you know he was a warm an amazing colleague. However, I came to know him as a true educational leader when I was working at Roxbury Prep Charter School and he came to visit prior to opening MATCH. I want you to know I keep some of the phrases he taught me close to my heart. "Kids won't care what you know, until you show them that you care." I really respect the dignity he showed each person that he interacted with. I will make a donation to MATCH in his honor. Please let me know if I can offer other support.
Sincerely,
Teresa Rodriguez
Tracey Goodman
December 18, 2007
I'm sending my deepest condolences to the Sposato family on behalf of my family. Charlie is an "ANGEL" in heaven that's for sure. My son Hayden and I are forever changed from knowing, Mr. Sposato. He will be sorely missed, but his love for family & the importance of education is a lesson we will never forget. Rest Peacefully! Love your friends Hayden and his Mom, Tracey
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