Charles Robert Fuller of Boxford, MA, passed away on August 18, 2021. Born in Somerville, MA on March 27, 1934 to Douglas B and Grace T (Engelhardt) Fuller, he later moved to Russell Street in Woburn, MA. There he grew up with his three brothers, Douglas, Kenneth, and David, and later would raise his own family.
Charles attended and graduated Tufts University where he met the love of his life Marcia Elizabeth (nee Elliott) Fuller. They married in 1958 and enjoyed 63 years of love and commitment to one another. Their family and friends meant everything to them. There was much travel and many beloved family gatherings as their family grew through the years. Charlie and Marcia enjoyed extensive time with their children and grandchildren. His love of gardening had been passed down from his Mom, Grace. No one had a greener thumb than Charlie. His home in Boxford and summer home in Chatham MA are a testament to that.
Charlie attended ROTC while at Tufts and soon after graduation joined the US Navy as an Officer and served in the Suez Canal Crisis of 1956, on board the Battleship Iowa (BB-61), and later the USS Wisconsin (BB-64) and the Destroyer USS Hale (DD-642). He remained in service through his honorable discharge in 1972, after his younger brother David returned safely from serving in Vietnam.
Following his active military service, Charlie worked for J.H. Winn in Winchester, MA as an Industrial Engineer, and shortly thereafter acquired Fraen Corporation in 1968. A born entrepreneur and leader, he focused his many years at Fraen building it from a small local contract manufacturer in Wakefield, MA to a company with a global footprint and diversity well known in numerous industries. His son Peter and Son-in-Law Nic have more recently taken the helm, and with the assistance of numerous dedicated employees are privileged to continue his legacy.
Charlie's fondness for the sea never left his soul. Whether he was participating in the Antigua Sail week , loving the excitement of the wind through his hair, or just a quiet sail on Nantucket Sound on his Sunfish, Charlie wanted to be near the shore. One of his favorite things to do was a walk down to the Chatham flats to dig a bucket of clams for an afternoon snack and, if you were lucky, you got to go with him....and enjoy some steamed clams and stuffed quahogs with a glass of Pino Grigio! Pay no attention to the greenheads!
Though salt was flowing through his veins, he was a very polished gentleman, who was polite to everyone, and appreciated life and everyone in it. We are forever grateful for the talent, strength and humanity that will remain Charlie's legacy.
Charlie leaves behind many friends, relatives, and associates. He is survived by his beloved wife Marcia, son Peter Fuller and his wife Tammy of Kittery Maine, daughter Lynne Scarfo and her husband Nicodemo of Boxford, MA as well as his grandchildren: Sarah Murphy and her husband Joseph along with great-grandchild Maya, Aimee Burrows and her husband Benjamin along with great-grandchildren Samwise and Luna, Dee Schick-Fuller and her wife Lindsey, Laura Scarfo and fiancée Anthony DiNanno, Nicodemo D. Scarfo, and Filippo Charles Scarfo.
It will not be possible to fill those Sperry Docksider shoes, but we will do our best.
At the request of the family, Charlie's services will be private.