Charles W. Kettinger

Charles W. Kettinger, 81, of Salem, NH, died Tuesday at Lawrence General Hospital, Lawrence, MA, the place of his birth.

He was born on January 18, 1937 to George E. and Isabel (Kirk) Kettinger. The family lived in North Andover, MA where Charley attended local schools, graduating from North Andover High School in 1955. He was a hard worker from a young age, delivering newspapers on his bicycle before school and helping his father deliver milk. He spent his childhood summers with his family at Stiles Pond in Boxford, MA and later at Songo Pond in Maine, swimming and sailing. Charley was a 3 sport letterman and captain of his high school baseball and football teams. He continued to be active in baseball into his forties, playing semi- professional baseball in the Red Sox farm system and later coaching his son's teams and umpiring for Little League.

While serving in the U.S. Army at Fort Eustis, VA, he attended The College of William and Mary in Williamsburg, VA and was thereafter a loyal supporter. He was married to the former Susan J. Brown on May 26, 1974 in Bethel, Maine.

His family moved several times within North Andover during his childhood, so when Charley and Sue bought their starter home in Salem, NH, he had found his forever home. He planted trees: maple, birch, and apple. Charley was a kind and generous man with an infectious smile and wit.

Charley was a Graduate of Merrimack College and had a career as an accountant, working for several firms, principally in the corporate headquarters of Sheraton Hotels in Boston and as Comptroller of McLaughlin Mayflower in Nashua, NH. He was a member of the North Salem United Methodist Church. He was a huge lover of animals and enjoyed watching the manatees while wintering in St. Pete Beach, FL

Besides his parents, Charley was predeceased by his brothers George E. Jr. and Arthur P. Kettinger.

He is survived by his beloved wife, Susan B. Kettinger of Salem, NH, son, C. William (Bill) Jr. and his wife Katie Kettinger of Andover, MA, brother, Robert Kettinger of Lincoln, NH, niece, Rebecca Burns of Washington State, and nephew, John Kettinger of Concord, NH, plus several cousins including, Shirley Hondel of Maine, Richard Kettinger of Vermont and Dr. Daniel Callahan of MA., 3 great nephews and 1 great niece.

Private funeral services will be held for family and friends, and interment will take place in Bethel, Maine. There are no calling hours. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Salem Animal Rescue League, 4 Sarl Dr, Salem, NH 03079 or to the Jimmy Fund, c/o Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, P.O. Box 849168, Boston, MA 02284-9168. The Carrier Family Funeral Home, 38 Range Rd, Windham, NH has care of Charley's arrangements.