Surrounded by family, the exemplary fulfilling life of Charles G. Canfield, Jr, ended peacefully on Monday, May 24, after a courageous battle with myelodysplasia. Charles was born on March 10, 1947, in Danbury, Connecticut, to Charles Canfield, Sr, and Hattie Canfield, of Monroe. Charles, aka “Charlie,” “Chartuga,” “Tuna,” “Churly guy,” or the other dozens of nicknames, was a lifelong resident of Monroe and a graduate of Masuk High School. He had a long career with the Teamsters Union driving for Consolidated Freight amongst his many other careers including tiling, tool and die maker, and machinist, to name a few.

Apart from his family, Charlie loved nature above everything, being an avid hunter, fisherman, and gardener, spending as much time outdoors as possible. Much of his travels revolved around avoiding the snow by spending winters in Florida with his son, Chris, and summers with the rest of the family in Martha’s Vineyard — always following the fish. If he wasn’t out in nature, he could be found shooting a little pool with his friends and family. A bar owner in his youth and beloved guardian to the younger crowd, more recent Friday nights he could be found playing 9-ball for quarters with the guys, or a Saturday putting a few hundred miles on his Softail with the crew. He loved his family and friends and always opened his “home on the island,” as he called it, to anyone who wished to visit, creating lifelong memories that will be eternally cherished by his family and friends. He had this reputation of being the life of the party as well as being friends with everyone — with the Vineyard house becoming known as “Camp Canfield,” and getting the title as “the cheapest babysitter” to all his friends and neighbors in the Vineyard. Charlie was legendary with creating nicknames that stick, as he found it endearing to nickname people he was close to.

Charlie was a proud father of four children. He loved baseball and even coached his children for several years while playing softball himself. He taught his children to live life to the fullest, to constantly keep learning and trying new things, and to live as resiliently as he did. He believed there is nothing a little “wind therapy” could not cure.

In addition to his parents, Charlie was predeceased by his oldest son, Chris Canfield. He is survived by his sons Sean (and fiancée Megan Cook) and Ethan Canfield, and his daughter Emma Canfield (and fiancé Raphael Magri). He took joy in the growth and successes of his children, as Sean is an active member of the City of Bridgeport’s fire department, Ethan works as IT consultant, and Emma lives and works on Martha’s Vineyard taking care of his home while being employed by the island’s most exclusive pool company. He is also survived by sisters Lina Canfield and Patricia Rooney. In addition to his siblings and children, he leaves behind several cousins, nieces, and nephews. Charlie was a simple man who valued time over possessions. As his daughter, Emma, always said, “I think he is seeing how little he can live with as if it was a competition.” Charlie will be missed; however, his life will always be celebrated and his memory will live on in the hearts of everyone he loved.

Friends and family are invited to celebrate his life at Spadaccino and Leo P. Gallagher and Sons Community Funeral Home, 315 Monroe Turnpike, Monroe, on Saturday, May 29, from 1 to 4 pm, with a gathering to follow at his home in Southbury, where everyone is welcome to share memories, stories, and love for Charlie.