Charles W. Noel

Charles William Noel, Sr., of Hampton, CT, died October 27, 2015. Son of the late Nelson and Ruth (Anthony) Noel, lovingly known to many as Big Charlie, or Uncle Charlie, was raised on his family's farm in Mansfield. After meeting and marrying wife Viola Hawkes, they made their first home farming on Station Road in Hampton and then purchased the caretaker's cottage on the edge of Goodwin Forest at Clark's Corner, where they lived for over 50 years. Charlie first worked for James Goodwin, plowing, clearing, pruning in the orchard, and cutting Christmas trees, and whatever else needed doing. The last year that Goodwin sold trees, he offered the Noel's the house, barn, and 3 acres for purchase. With such an idyllic setting, surrounded by nature, they quickly bought the house and made it a happy home. Charlie also worked on the crew for the Town of Hampton with lifelong friend Paul Tumel. Charlie began driving truck, first for American Thread and then later hired on to do feed hauls all over New England and upstate New York for Julius Rytman out of Franklin. But when he was home, his love for tinkering with cars and trucks developed into a great skill and reputation as a street and drag racer. It was said that competitors came from all over New England just to race the genial Charlie. Racers would meet at the Burger Chef on Main Street (now the Fish Market in front of the Access Agency) and draw to see who would race against who, taking their cars to the nearest straight quarter mile on Route 32 in South Windham, Route 31 in Coventry, or the newly paved stretch on Route 6 splitting the Fuller Farm in Hampton. After their children started school, Charlie raced at the Colchester Track and tutored some of the local kids in racing at the house. Charlie was a good farmer, kept a watchful eye on the neighborhood, and was always there to lend a ready hand whether teaching someone to use a chainsaw safely, winterize a chicken coop, or help with a garden rototilling. The Noel's home was always a good place to be, and Charlie collected "strays": whether animals or his children's friends. Needing to fix an engine or blow off some personal steam, Charlie and wife Vi always listened kindly and without judgment. Charlie was predeceased earlier this year by wife Viola of 65 years, and is survived by son Charles, Jr. (Jacquie), daughters Kathy (Loren), Johnson, and Judy Noel; grandchildren Monica (Mathiew) St. Jean, Ryan and Kyle Noel, Dakota Bartlett, and a great-granddaughter Brynn St. Jean. Charlie was also predeceased by siblings: Dottie, Margaret, Harriet, Clifford, Eleanor, Barbara, Norman, Carol, and Tony. Family and friends are invited to gather on Saturday, November 7, at 2:00PM at Holt Fellowship Hall, Hampton Congregational Church to celebrate Charlie's life and share remembrances. A dessert reception will follow. Donations may be given in Charlie's memory to the Hampton-Chaplin Ambulance Corps or to the Hampton Fire Department.