Charles Franklin Hawkins

Charles Franklin Hawkins, 95, of Colchester, passed away on Monday February 7, 2011 at Apple Rehab Center in Colchester. Charles was born on January 28, 1916 in Berlin, NH to the late Charles and Rose (Wilkinson) Hawkins. On April 3, 1942 he enlisted in the United States Army where he served as a drill sergeant and educator until the war ended in 1945. He married the love of his life, Virginia D. Ide on August 5, 1942, whom he remained married to for 68 years. Charlie was a self-employed salvage dealer who enjoyed the challenge of finding and restoring precious metals. He collected books on American history and could often be found reading in his den. At one time, he also kept an extensive collection of antique fire trucks. An avid music lover, Charles' greatest passion was singing and listening to the songs of the big bands. His favorites were Tommy Dorsey, Benny Goodman and Count Basie. In 1989, he authored a book about his childhood in the north woods of New Hampshire titled, "Places By The River". Along with his children, the book was one of his proudest lifetime achievements. A life long sports fan, he would often tell the story of how he once pitched to Ted Williams during an Army baseball game. He never missed a chance to watch the Red Sox and cherished their 2004 and 2007 World Series championships. Charles also treasured spending time at his lake house in Meredith, New Hampshire, where he, his wife and their entire family spent many beautiful summers. He was predeceased by his brothers George, Gordon and Howard, his sisters Annie and Dorothy and his daughters, Linda Scott and Nancy Landry. Charles is survived by his wife, Virginia D. Hawkins of Colchester, a brother in-law, Walter Ide and his wife Christine of Manchester , a sister-in law Lucille Erickson and her husband Ken of Columbia, his grand children Karen Scott of East Haddam, Frank Norman Scott III of Southington, Kimberly Kittredge of Mansfield, Carolyn Kurth of Colchester, Nancy Bryer of Colchester, Jason Hawkins of Manchester, Thomas Cerreto of Montana, Matthew Kozaczka of Enfield, his great grand children Brenton and Shelly Kurth of Colchester, Timothy Scott of Old Saybrook, Robert Blinn of Manchester and Zachary Kay of Colchester. He is also survived by several nieces and nephews. His funeral service will be held on Saturday, February 12 at 11:00 AM at Potter Funeral Home, 456 Jackson Street (RTE 195), Willimantic, CT. Due to winter conditions at the New Willimantic Cemetery, interment will be private. Friends and relatives may call on the family on Friday, February 11th between 5:00 and 7:00pm at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Cancer Society, 825 Brook Street, I- 91 Tech Center, Rocky Hill, CT 06067. For online memorial guestbook and directions to the funeral home, please visit www.potterfuneralhome.com .