Charles Lindberg Kilson, 88, Sandy Hook, passed away at home peacefully with his family on Saturday, December 14, 2019, following a long illness.

Charles, known to his family and friends as Charlie, Lindy, Grandpa, Pop, and Big Dog, was raised on the Schaghticoke Indian Reservation in Kent. He was one of the oldest living members of the Tribe, and he remained an active member of the Schaghticoke Tribal Nation throughout his life.

Charlie often recalled his many memories of his younger days hunting deer and fishing on the Reservation. He and his younger brother, Russ, were avid rattlesnake hunters and known to capture and donate rattlesnakes to the Peabody Museum and Beardsley Zoo.

In 1950, Charlie enlisted into the United States Navy stationed in Newport, R.I. He was deployed during the Korean War on the USS Purdy Destroyer and later the USS Dixon off the coast of Korea. While on the USS Dixon, Charlie and his older brother, Earl, were announced as the first set of brothers to be together on a naval ship since the Sullivan brothers’ deaths during World War II. Before and after his enlistment, Charlie also loved playing softball in Kent and New Milford, as well as The Valley Industrial Softball Leagues, establishing himself as a star centerfielder.

Charlie and his wife, Millie, met on the Schaghticoke Reservation and were married shortly thereafter, and they recently celebrated 64 years of marriage. Initially living in Oxford, they began to raise their two sons while he was employed at The Star Pin Factory as a machinist. Several years later, they found their forever home in Sandy Hook, where both Lindy and Millie began work at Newtown High School in 1970. Lindy worked as a custodian and Millie as a cashier. Their loyalty to the school system was honored with yearbook dedications from the graduating senior class. This honor is usually bestowed upon a teacher; therefore, the both of them receiving this recognition was quite unique. They remained employed with the Newtown Board of Education for more than 40 years before retiring together in 2010.

Lindy leaves behind his loving wife, Mildred (Fagan) Kilson, and two sons, Charles “Chuck” Kilson and his wife, Linda, from Canton and Neal Kilson and his wife, Robin, from Southbury; as well as his beloved grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Charlie was predeceased by parents Earl and Emma (Anderson) Kilson; and siblings, Gloria, Earl, Russell, and Ruth.

The family extends a special thank you to nurses Solange, Stephanie, and Blessed, for their dedication, compassion, and continued care during this difficult time. In addition, Regional Hospice and Palliative Care’s Beth, Robin, and Emily.

Calling hours for family and friends will take place at Spadaccino and Leo P. Gallagher and Sons Community Funeral Home, 315 Monroe Turnpike in Monroe on Friday, December 20, from 4 to 8 pm, with Veteran and Native American Honors. Burial will be held Saturday, December 28, at the Schaghticoke Indian Reservation in Kent, followed by lunch at Elenni’s Italian Ristorante & Pub, 40 Sherman Hill Road #3611, Woodbury.

In lieu of flowers, and in loving memory of Charlie, memorial donations may be made to Schaghticoke Tribal Nation/Paulette Crone-Morange Scholarship Fund, 101 Elizabeth Street, Derby CT 06418.