CHARLES E. RICHARDSON
Sept. 24, 1925-Oct. 9, 2011
ELLINGTON, Conn. -- Charles E. Richardson, 86, Ellington, Conn., died Oct. 9, 2011.
He was born in Lexington, Ky., Sept. 24, 1925, to Annetta (Roberts) and James Richardson.
His high school and college years were impacted by his service in World War II and the Korean War, but despite his years of military service with the Army, he returned to school at the conclusion of each war.
He was a graduate of Dunbar High School in Lexington, Ky., in 1947, and he received his Bachelor of Science degree from Fayetteville State Teachers College in Fayetteville in 1954.
He was an educator in several school districts in North Carolina. Most notably, Charles served as an administrator with Goldsboro City Schools in Goldsboro as the school district transitioned from segregated to integrated schools.
He continued his own schooling throughout his years in North Carolina, and earned his master's degree in education from the University of Kentucky in 1960.
During this period, Charles was recruited by the Consolidated Cigar Co. to go to Connecticut over the summer months to supervise young tobacco workers.
Having spent several summers in Connecticut, he decided to move to Ellington, and in 1977 accepted a teaching position at Tolland Middle School in Tolland, Conn. At this time, computers were just being introduced into public schools. Charles enthusiastically embraced this new technology and worked with students and teachers to incorporate the use of computers within the curriculum.
Also, he undertook further studies at the University of Connecticut, earning a six-year degree in 1983.
While in Tolland, he taught students karate through an after-school club and was a drivers' education instructor at the high school.
Charles retired in June 1990, but continued his love affair with computers. He attended the Connecticut Computer Institute in East Hartford, Conn., and Asnuntuck Community College in Enfield, Conn., where he was awarded a computer programming certificate in May 1997.
Throughout his lifetime, Charles enjoyed singing. He had a fine tenor voice. In his childhood years, he sang with neighborhood friends and in the church choir.
During his war years, he participated in USO productions, when possible, and in college, toured with the college chorus.
While living in Goldsboro, he was a member of an interracial/interdenominational chorale, participating in the annual performance of Handel's "Messiah."
When he moved to Connecticut, he joined South Windsor Community Chorus and the Ellington Senior Singers.
He was especially proud of a performance he gave in his younger years of "La Donna e Mobile" from Verdi's opera "Rigoletto."
In addition to his singing talents, Charles had a natural sense of rhythm and movement. He enjoyed dancing, and was fond of aerobic exercise that combined movement with music.
He participated enthusiastically in numerous aerobic/dance classes at Center Court and Court House Plus in the Vernon, Conn., area.
Charles enjoyed life, worked hard and freely gave of his time and talents to many. We are all the better for having known him.
Charles is survived by his wife, Celine (Burke) Richardson of Ellington, Conn.; his daughter, Denise Moore of Crofton, Md.; his grandsons, Lloyd Tolento Moore Jr. of Virginia and Charles H. Richardson and his family of Utah; his brother, Allen C. Richardson and his wife, Rowena, of Lexington, Ky.; two stepsisters Henrietta Lawton and Loretta Royston; four stepbrothers Michael, Henry, Willie and Billy Richardson all of Lexington, Ky.; and numerous nieces, nephews, grandnephews and grandnieces in Kentucky, Ohio, Georgia, Massachusetts, Maine, Illinois and Guatemala.
He was predeceased by his parents; a son, Charles E. Richardson Jr.; and a brother, Castello Richardson.
A memorial service was held Nov. 12 at Samsel and Carmon Funeral Home in South Windsor, Conn. Burial with military honors will be held Monday, Nov. 21, 2011, at 11 a.m. at Highland Memorial Cemetery in Lexington, Ky., under the direction of Smith and Smith Funeral Home in Lexington, Ky.
If you wish to remember Charles, in lieu of flowers, please make a donation in his name to one of the following organizations: USO, P.O. Box 96860, Washington, D.C., 20077-7677, or the Alzheimer's Association, Connecticut Chapter, 279 New Britain Road, Kensington, Conn., 06037.
Condolences may be sent by visiting www.carmonfuneralhome.com.
(Pd)
Published in Obituaries on November 13, 2011 9:47 AM