CHARLES H. GARRAPYSOUTH BURLINGTON - Charles H. Garrapy, 75, died peacefully on Feb. 18, 2012, in the Arbors, where he had resided since 2009. Son of the late Charles and Ruth Garrapy, he was born on Feb. 23, 1936, in Fairfax. He attended Underhill grade school and Cambridge High School before graduating Jericho Center High School in 1954. In 1959, he married Betty Owen, to whom he was wed for 52 years. He was a member of the First Congregational Church of Essex Junction and the Blue Spruce Grange. He took an active role, serving on several church committees and holding many offices at the Grange. He joined the United States Air Force in 1954, and worked in the supply and missile areas, until becoming a controller on "The Looking Glass", fulfilling a professional goal he had set for himself. His Air Force assignments included tours at Goose Bay AFB in Labrador, Pease AFB in New Hampshire, Otis AFB in Massachusetts, Galena AFB in Alaska, Ellsworth AFB in South Dakota and Offutt AFB in Nebraska. He retired after 20 years of service in 1974, and settled back in Essex Junction. He joined the UVM police services in 1975 until his retirement in 1999. He worked as an observation tower attendant at the Burlington International Airport for the next five years. Charlie loved the time spent with his family and grandchildren. He was an avid fan of the New York Giants and the Boston Red Sox. He loved listening to all forms of music, visiting Battery Park every Sunday night during the summer, biking, hiking, and long, frequent walks. In 2003, Charlie and Betty enjoyed a memorable trip to Hawaii. He is survived by his wife, Elizabeth Garrapy of South Burlington; son, Chuck and his wife, Michele; daughter, Karen and her husband, David Stone; grandchildren, Heather and Sean Stone; his sister, Bette Workman; brother, Ronald and his wife, Linda Garrapy; sisterin-law, Peggy Clark and her friend, Christian Fuller; brother-in-law, Tom Owen and his wife Sandy;, and several nieces and nephews. A funeral service will take place at 10 a.m. on Friday, Feb. 24, 2012, at the First Congregational Church of Essex Junction. Burial will be in the spring at Pleasantview Cemetery, in Jericho. There will be no visiting hours. Arrangements are in the care of the Ready Funeral & Cremation Service, Mountain View Chapel, 68 Pinecrest Dr., Essex Junction. To send online condolences please visit
www.readyfuneral.com. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to The Arbors, 687 Harbor Rd., Shelburne, VT 05482.
