HUNTINGTON – Charles Francis Gant, 83, Huntington, Massachusetts passed away Sunday, October 16, 2022, after a brief illness surrounded by family. Charles (Chuck) was born on August 11, 1939, in Akron Iowa, the son of Stephen and Ella (Lamoureux) Gant. He graduated from Akron High school, class of 1957 and from the University of South Dakota (USD) with a Bachelor’s Degree in Fine Arts in Music Education, and a Master’s Degree in Education Administration. His career as an educator spanned over 40 years. His first teaching position was as the middle school band teacher in Vermillion, SD. He served as a school principal in Garden City, Kansas, Topeka, Kansas and retired from his education career at Southampton Road Elementary School in Westfield, Massachusetts. He retired to a lake cabin where he enjoyed hosting family and friends. He was a member of the Catholic Church.
He was preceded in death by his sister Mary Ellen, one infant son Francis, his parents, and a brother Donald Gant.
He is survived by his former wife Margaret, their 3 daughters: Dr. Elizabeth Fraser, Stephanie (Jeff), Hilary Aubey (Jim) and grandchildren, Clayton, Charles, Grace Ellen, Samuel and great-grandchildren Sophia, Corbyn and Charlotte, as well as his brother Gerald, his sister Carol Baldes (Allan) and many nieces and nephews.
Mr. Gant leaves behind many classmates, students, friends and former colleagues in Akron, IA, Garden City, KS, Topeka, KS and Westfield, MA.
The obituary is on the Firtion Adams Funeral Home web page (www.firtionadams.com). Firtion Adams is located at 76 Broad Street, Westfield, MA 01085. Condolence messages for the family can be left at firtionadams.com. Visiting hours will be held on Friday, October 21st, 5-7 pm at the funeral home. A Mass of Christian burial will be Saturday, October 22md, at 1 pm at Most Holy Redeemer Parish in Hadley, MA. Ashes to be interred with other family members at a later date in Akron, Iowa. His three daughters request that memorial donations be made to The National Music Museum at USD, (NMMUSD.org with comment “Chuck Gant Memorial”) or The United Way of the Pioneer Valley in Westfield, MA (uwpv.org) or a Public Radio Station.
