Charles Carr Obituary

Charles Allen Carr, of Gulf Breeze, Florida, died peacefully at home on May 24, 2025, five weeks shy of his eighty-third birthday. Loving husband, loyal father, cherished grandfather, and devoted friend, he was surrounded by family at his time of death.
Charlie's sense of humor will be missed, particularly by his family, who knew him to find something funny in nearly every aspect of life. He enjoyed having a good laugh and encouraged everyone around him to do the same. His philosophical side was also prominent, deepened by his endless appetite for reading. His contemplativeness, together with his playfulness, made him a wonderful confidante, willing to help friends and family see their way through perplexing circumstances. For those lucky enough to have him in their lives, no problem was too big or too small - he would lend an ear and give thoughtful advice.
Through the decades, a variety of pursuits caught his attention. Photography, woodworking, fishing, billiards, and boating were among the activities he devoted himself to. He jumped in with both feet, learning and improving, dazzling us with his ability to immerse himself completely.
The objects he created in his wood shop, especially furniture, testify to his dedication as a craftsman. (If we find even one thing in life to love as much as he adored woodworking, we should count ourselves lucky.)
Later in life, Charlie spent a fair amount of time in the kitchen, patiently working through recipes and taking pleasure in shopping for ingredients. He made dishes that reflected his care, concentration, unfussiness, and genuine satisfaction in eating well.
Charles Allen Carr was born on June 29, 1942, in Somerville, Massachusetts, to Charles and Ellen Carr. He spent much of his childhood in the nearby town of Winchester, where the family - including two brothers, Benjamin and Gary- eventually settled.
After high school, Charlie began working full-time, primarily in machine shops in Winchester. He soon found a life-changing job at The John J. Reilly Company, a leather tannery. It was there, he said, that he learned to apply himself, striving to do good work for the simple joy of doing something well.
From Massachusetts, Charlie soon made his way south. His first stop was Florida, where he did soil testing for construction projects on behalf of East Florida Drilling and Blasting. He then took a job at Burnup and Sims, a company that specialized in laying telephone lines underground. (This is the same company that laid the very first undersea cable between the mainland U.S. and Puerto Rico.) Charlie's time at the company would mark a fateful turning point: the remaining decades of his career would focus on the infrastructure that supports telecommunications networks.
He went on to jobs in North Carolina, the Caribbean, California, and Alaska. For a long time, he was a telephone cable splicer, repairing telephone cables. (No matter the weather, location, or physical obstacle, he found ways to bring cables back to life, saying he enjoyed the challenge.) His early days as a splicer included time at a Caribbean outpost of Henkels and McCoy, and for the final two decades of his professional life, he was a splicer and troubleshooter at Municipal Utilities Service in Fairbanks, Alaska.
In retirement, he and his wife, Mabel M. Carr (née West) moved to Gulf Breeze, Florida, where Charlie would often declare himself "a tropical man." He and Mabel began an entirely new life in the warm Florida sun, though they cherished the memories (and maintained many of the friendships) they accumulated during the preceding years up north.
Returning to a tropical climate reminded Charlie and Mabel of when they first met, on the island of St. Croix, in the 1970s. "Meeting Mae is the most significant event that changed the course of my life," he once said, and the Caribbean would therefore hold a permanent place in his heart. "The story of me and Mae," he recalled, "is interwoven with what we each felt about those beautiful islands." All told, Mabel and Charlie shared fifty years together.
Charlie requested cremation, and memorial services will be private.
Donations may be made in his name to Doctors Without Borders.
Charlie is predeceased by his two brothers.
In addition to Mabel, he is survived by sons, Benjamin (Mary), and Andrew (Dinah); grandson, Satchel; brother-in-law, Carl (Steve); sister-in-law, Fran; dear extended family members, and friends.
Charlie's family would like to express gratitude to everyone involved in his medical care over the years, in facilities in Gulf Breeze as well as Pensacola (not to mention the hospice caregivers who visited Charlie at home). We'd like to thank the nursing staff in particular, who provided comfort through the exams, tests, procedures, emergencies, and hospitalizations Charlie endured in his final decade.
When Charlie passed away, he did not disappear from the universe. He remains with us, a prominent part of our daily lives. His generosity, curiosity, and resolve will continue inspiring everyone who knew and loved him.
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