Charles "Charlie" H. Thorpe

Charles (Charlie) Howard Thorpe, 75, of Colchester, CT passed away suddenly at his home on Tuesday, January 6, 2016. Born in New London on May 16, 1940, to Howard and Helen Thorpe, Charlie grew up in Montville and married his high school sweetheart, Nancy Still in 1961. They would have celebrated their 55th anniversary this year. As a young married couple, Charlie and Nancy first settled in Norwich. In 1962, Charlie was called into the US Army, and served six years, first in active duty at Ft. Bragg, North Carolina followed by service in the reserves in eastern Connecticut. He and his family lived in Montville, Pomfret and Windham. From a very young age, Charlie was a talented drummer - playing in the Norwich Free Academy Band and the Robert Fletcher Drum & Bugle Corps. While in the army, he served as parade drummer and worked with a large dance band. Charlie loved to sing. He was a member of the Pomfret Congregational Church choir as well as community choirs in Northeastern Connecticut and the Windham Theatre Guild. He gleefully passed on his passion for drumming and music to his children, both of whom work and perform in the world of music. Between 1965-85, Charlie was a journeyman electrician with IBEW local 35. After retirement, he carried on working as an antiques dealer and became a respected authority on early American folk art, English ceramics and glass-buying, selling and appraising antiques throughout New England. Passionate about the history of eastern Connecticut towns, he and his wife restored historic homes in Pomfret and Windham Center. Charlie also taught classes in identification of antiques at Quinebaug Valley Community College and was a member of the Pomfret Historical Society, Windham Historical Commission and Windham Historical Society. Always active in his community, Charlie was president of the Montville Jaycees and the Pomfret Lions Club. He chaired the Pomfret Bicentennial Commmission, and was a member of the Pomfret Democratic Committee, the Windham Lions and the Windham Free Library Board. In this free time, he participated in Boy Scout campouts and trips with his sons teaching them valuable life lessons. Charlie is predeceased by his sister, Patricia, and brother, Thomas. He is survived by his wife, Nancy, their son Charles Harrison and his wife, Harriet, of Boston and Sprague, CT; son Brian Thomas and his wife, Julie, and their daughter, Aden, of Cranston, RI; sister Eleanor Turner of Max Meadow, VA as well as nieces and nephews. Charlie was known and loved for his steady ways, dedication to family, sense of humor and art of storytelling. His warmth, kindness, generosity and ever present willingness to help will be sorely missed by all who have known him. A Funeral Service will be held at 2:00 p.m., Wednesday, January 13, 2016 at First Congregational Church of Windham, 4 Windham Center Rd. (Intersection of Rtes 14 & 203) Windham, CT. Committal Services will be held at the convenience of the family. No calling hours. To sign the online memorial book please visit, www.potterfuneralhome.com