Obituary of Charles H. King

CHARLES H. KING

Belfast, Maine – Charles H. King, 97, passed away Oct. 12, 2023, at his residence in Belfast, Maine.  He was born June 12, 1926, to George H. King and Elizabeth (nee Wiggan) King Tinsman in Springfield, Mass.

At 17, he enlisted in the United States Navy and served as a second class gunner’s mate on a destroyer in the Pacific during World War 11.  After completing his service, he obtained his bachelor’s degree from the University of Maine, and later his Master of Arts degree from the University of Connecticut.  For the better part of his career, he was an English literature and creative writing educator in high school and academies in both Connecticut and Maine. Intermittently, he was a technical writer at Electric Boat in Groton, and briefly served as an associate editor for Outdoor Life Magazine in the mid-sixties.  His love of teaching continued beyond his official retirement to include instructing a series of courses on the American short story to small groups in Camden and Belfast.

Charles began his retirement by fulfilling a long-held dream of moving back to the state of Maine where his family’s roots were established.  “Vacationland” provided the perfect setting for the avid sportsman that he was, filling his days with fly fishing, boating, hunting, camping and skeet shooting.

He was predeceased by his wife of 43 years, Marion (Clegg) King; his second wife of 27 years, Elise (Herbig) King; and more recently, his son, Charles D. King. He is survived by his brother Dennis King and wife Brenda; his daughter Elizabeth Osswald and husband Albert; Melanie Watrous and husband Stephen; daughter-in-law Mary King; stepson Les Herbig and wife Cindy; and stepson Bruce Herbig and wife Jackie. He is sadly missed by his grandchildren: Aaron Teague, Peter Watrous, Laurel Wiers, Benjamin Watrous, Mary Watrous, Sarah Holmes, Charles King and John King. He also leaves behind nine great-grandchildren, a niece, and a nephew.

The family wishes to extend their gratitude to all the medical staff and those responsible for his care in Belfast, Maine.

"Due to a family illness, the Celebration of Life service, originally schedule for December 02 in Groton, CT has been postponed."