A Favorite Son Of Granville Passes
On June 18, 2015 at Cherrydale Rehab Center in Arlington, VA, Charles Stanley Peter Hodge died of heart failure. His long battle ended at age 68. “Charlie Boy” , his family moniker, was accompanied at birth by twin sister Charlene. “Sis” became her family name. The twins were born on July 30th, 1946 to Charles and Stacia (Rzonca) Hodge of Granville, MA. Predeceased by his parents and sister, Charlie is survived by Charlene’s daughters Melody and Cindy. Marilyn Borchers, Charlie’s wife, predeceased him in 1996. Saddened by his passing are many cousins on both coasts East and West and Hawaii.
Particularly feeling a loss by Charles’ passing are Ann Brash and Hilton Foster. Ann, from Chicago, has for many years been a valued companion and confidant to Charlie. True to herself, she remained a trusted and welcomed visitor at Cherrydale, during these last years of Charlies’ struggle. Her often daily phone calls from Chicago offered Charlie support, encouragement and motivation to carry-on. These calls (hearing her voice) truly lifted his spirits. Ann, from the family “ thank you.”.
Since their undergrad years at Amherst College (Class of ’68), Hilton and Charlie have been best of friends. Fifty years of familiarity allowed each to acquire and share a range of nuances and understandings that strengthened their bond of friendship. Too, being lawyers, living together for a spell and situated in the Washington, D.C. area added to their trusted and mutually shared friendship. Hilton, a sincere “thank you” from Charlie’s family.
As he developed in infancy and beyond, it became evident to his parents that young Charlie had sight issues. By his third year and five eye operations later, limited sight for color and people had been achieved. Over the next few years this would dissipate, leaving him sightless. Hearing such news easily engenders a range of thoughts and feelings that one might be unprepared for. Fortunately, “deterred not” were Mom, Dad and Charlie! As things unfolded in ensuing years, an impressive success story emerged.
Along with family encouragement, Charlie’s preparation for adulthood was rooted in his journey on the educational highway that began with enrollment at Perkins Institute for the Blind in Watertown, MA. Thereafter would follow Westfield High School ’64, Amherst College ’68, Harvard University Law ’71 and Massachusetts Bar ’71. His sustained efforts on challenging course work and participation across a broad spectrum of school activities earned rewards and recognition. These were instrumental in helping Charlie reach and enjoy a successful law career with the U.S. Government in Washington, D.C. Such work began in 1971with the General Counsel’s Office, of the Department of Health, Education and Welfare. At retirement he was working in the Department of Labor, Appellate Division. There he focused on discrimination law.
Special interests of Charlie included American Council of the Blind, Lions Club, Washington Capitals and Seldom Scene (bluegrass group). Recently three of Charlie’s Amherst classmates offered the following about him:” Charlie’s determination and independence were legendary. He never complained about being blind and despite that handicap, he lived a fuller life than many who had no handicaps. He played the hand he was dealt and he played it superbly”.
Graveside prayers and interment will be at St. Mary’s Cemetery
in Westfield at 10:00 a.m., Saturday, November 7th.
