Robert A. 'Red' Charlton

Waltham – Mr. Robert A. 'Red' Charlton, of Waltham, died Monday, December 17, 2012 at Newton-Wellesley Hospital. He was 78.

Red was born in Waltham on March 12, 1934, a son of the late Gerald and Pearl (Read) Charlton and had been a lifelong resident. He graduated from Waltham Trade School and after that enlisted in the United States Army where he served as a sergeant during the Korean War.

For thirty years he worked as a printer on a three color-press for the Recording & Statistical Corporation in Dorchester where he also met his future bride, Mary Fontanezi. The couple were married in Watertown on September 21, 1973 and made Waltham their home.

After retiring from the printing business Red worked part-time for two local contractors, LaCrosse Landscape Company and Rockland Construction Company, both of Waltham, where customers and colleagues remember him with fondness for his trademark smile and pipe. He also belonged to the Newton Yacht Club and had been a former member of the Loyal Order of Moose, Lodge No. 1018 and the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Lodge No. 953, both in Waltham.

In addition to his wife of thirty-nine years, Mary M. (Fontanezi) Charlton, Red leaves his nephews and niece, Scott, Robert and Linda Towne and his aunt, Mabel Josephson of Bellingham.

Red was also the brother of the late Barbara J. Towne.

Family and friends will honor and remember Red's life by gathering for calling hours in The Joyce Funeral Home, 245 Main Street (Rte. 20), Waltham on Thursday, December 20th from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. and again at 9 a.m. on Friday morning before leaving in procession to Sacred Heart Church, 311 River Street, Waltham where his Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Burial will follow in Mount Feake Cemetery, Waltham.

Memorial donations may be made to the Newtown Memorial Fund, P.O. Box 596. Botsford, CT 06404 or online at www.newtownmemorialfund.org