Charlie R. Perkins

Charlie R Perkins, 62, of Templeton, MA passed away unexpectedly on Thursday, June 26th, due to multiple health issues.

Born in Athol, MA, Charlie (aka Chaz, Chazlie, The Big Guy) lived most of his life in Templeton, MA, graduating from Narragansett High School in 1983.

Charlie proudly served in the United States Air Force Pararescueman wearing the distinctive red beret of a “PJ” (someone who would jump out of a perfectly fine airplane to save someone in peril.) After an injury at his final posting in Elmendorf, Alaska, Charlie medically retired as a PJ but still lived the PJ motto, “All These Things, So Others May Live”. To honor his commitment, he was an organ donor, giving his kidneys and liver to two individuals in need. Charlie was what Mister Rogers would say “a helper in his neighborhood.” He lived by the motto – improvise, adapt, overcome.

Charlie worked as a case worker for Servicenet, in Greenfield, MA. His devotion to his clientele, his patience and his ability to remain calm under any circumstance is admired by his colleagues. One of his clients pulled the fire alarm alerting staff that “Charlie needed help” to which his family is incredibly grateful for helping get paramedics to Charlie.

Charlie had so many hobbies; the list is almost endless. From his first love, music, to his latest hobby, Ham Radio (which he was studying to get certified so he and his buddy, Mike could go “listening”, his office is filled with books on a wide variety of subjects. His all-time favorite hobby was cooking (although we’re still waiting for him to make the scones he’s been promising for us for years now!). Charlie and Sharon also did volunteer work with the Hartford Chamber of Commerce in Hartford, VT every year, spending their annual anniversary weekend helping with the Quechee Balloon Festival.

Those that knew Chaz remember how he loved to talk! His friends and family often teased him about telling “short stories,” Chaz! NOT novels!” (again, always with love). Charlie was an aficionado of a fine cigar and a glass of scotch (not that he drank, but it was a favorite memory from a cruise taken to Bermuda with Sam and Lara to celebrate his and Sharon’s mutual birthdays). He could strike up a conversation with just about anyone, pretty much everywhere he went.

He is survived by his beautiful bride, Sharon, their three children, Samuel Dickens and his wife, Lara; Brian Dickens; and Rowan Dickens and their partner, Jade. He is also survived by his two “bonus daughters”, Maryanne Ernst, her future husband, Terry and their daughter, MacKenna; and Kimberly McGraw, her wife, Emily, and their son, Corbin McGraw. While his children were not biologically his, nevertheless he treated them as if they were his own by blood and not marriage. He forged a special and unique relationship with each child (now adults) bonding with each of them via their interests. With Sam, they shared everything about guns and the military. Brian, the musician of the family, shared a mutual love of music with Chazlie, especially guitar and trombone. Last, but by no means least, his beloved Rowan, with whom he shared his love of reading and his lack of artistic ability, all while praising Rowan’s incredible artistic talent. Rowan was officially the red headed stepchild, always said with a laugh, a smile and a hug. He loved all three with everything he had.

Charlie is also survived by his loving mother, Mary Perkins, of Fitchburg, who was the light in her eyes. He is predeceased by his father, Charlie (Perk) Perkins who died in 2013, his infant daughter, Dorothy Elizabeth who died in 2003, and where he will be interred next to, and many aunts, uncles, cousins and numerous friends.

A military graveside service will be held on Saturday, July 11, 2026, at 11:00 am at the Pine Grove Cemetery in Templeton, MA. Stone-Ladeau Funeral Home, 343 Central Street, Winchendon, MA has been entrusted with the arrangements.