Obituary of Charles A. Eustis

DELHI — Charles Arden Eustis passed away Jan. 28, 2014, at Bassett Hospital in Cooperstown. He was 91 years old. Charles was born Oct. 16, 1922, in Whitney, Pa., the son of Albert and Vista White Eustis. He was raised in southwestern Pennsylvania, and graduated from Washington High School in 1940. He was married to Shirley Haught in 1947. Their happy marriage lasted 53 years until her death in 2000. Immediately after graduating from high school, Charles began work as an automobile mechanic. Drafted into the U.S. Army in November 1942, he served in the 94th Division as a wire man, attaining the rank of corporal. His service awards included the Expert Infantry Badge, the Presidential Unit Service Medal, Bronze Star with Gold Leaf Cluster, the Combat Infantry Badge, the European Theater Medal with four Combat Stars, the Good Conduct Medal and the Medal of Occupation in Germany. After his discharge, he received a medal from the Province of Normandy, and a medal for the Cold War occupation of Czechoslovakia. Following World War II, Charles returned to his job in Washington, but soon after took a position as an automobile insurance claims adjuster. He relocated to Yonkers in 1954, and subsequently was employed as managing editor of automotive repair manuals for Hearst Corporations. He retired in 1986. As young adults, Shirley and Charles built a house in West Nyack. Shirley worked as a nurse, and they raised their sons, Harold and Gary. Charles was very active in community life, serving as president of the boards of the West Nyack Library and the West Nyack Little League. He was strongly committed to his church, serving as deacon and elder in both the Chapel in Yonkers and the Clarkstown Reformed Church in West Nyack. In 1989, Charles and Shirley relocated to Delhi. At that time, Charles became very involved in the Donald W. Gleason American Legion Post 190. In 2010, he was honored to receive the French Legion of Honor Medal, presented at the French Embassy in New York City. He was also selected by New York State Senator John Bonacic to receive recognition in the the New York State Senators Veterans Hall of Fame. Charles was fortunate to remain active and independent throughout his life. In retirement he built beautiful doll houses, replicas of homes that he loved. He and Shirley took their camper across the country, and enjoyed a trip to Europe to revisit places he had seen in the war. He pursued the study of both World War II history and the Eustis family genealogy, providing his relatives with an extensive family tree. He especially enjoyed being outside on his lawnmower Charles had great respect for the American flag and its presentation in the community, and was a tireless advocate for the restoration and care of local cemeteries. Charles was a loving and devoted husband, father and grandfather. He was predeceased by his siblings; his wife, Shirley; and his son, Gary. He is survived by his son, Harold, daughter-in-law, Jane Curley; and grandson, Colin (all of Delhi); his stepgranddaughter, Emily (of Zaragoza, Spain); and many nieces and nephews. Friends are invited to greet the family from 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 2, 2014, at the MacArthur Funeral Home, Delhi. A funeral service will take place at 11 a.m. Monday, Feb. 3, 2014, at the First Presbyterian Church, Delhi, with the Rev. Sarah Hooker officiating. Burial will take place in the spring in Woodland Cemetery, Delhi. Contributions in his memory are asked to be made to the First Presbyterian Church of Delhi, Donald W. Gleason American Legion Post No. 190 or O'Connor Hospital. Those who wish to share condolences or a special memory may do so online at www.macarthurfh.com. Arrangements are with the MacArthur Funeral Home, Delhi.