Obituary of Charles F Onthank

Charles F. Onthank, a retired Electrical Engineer, passed away after a short illness on Friday morning, September 29, 2017. He was 88 years old. Charles was born in Newton, MA the son of Charles and Beatrice Onthank. He grew up in Arlington and was a graduate of Arlington High School. He attended Northeastern University where he earned his Bachelor of Science Degree and later in life his Master’s Degree in Engineering. Charles was inducted in the U.S. Army at Ft. Devens, MA in April of 1951. In July of 1952 he was deployed to Korea as a member of the 45th Division, with which he served in some of the hardest fighting during the Korean War at Old Baldy, Heart Break Ridge, and at Anchor Hill, during which he was promoted to Corporal. He was honorably discharged in April of 1953 and was the recipient of the Korean Service Medal with 1 Bronze Star, the Korean Service Medal, and United Nations Service Medal. He returned home and married his wife, Ann on July 1, 1955. He went to work as an electrical engineer at Sylvania, which became GTE and later General Dynamics and retired after 37 years with the companies and at the age of 64. Charles was a man of deep faith and found a home at the United Church of Christ Congregational in Burlington where he deepened and shared his faith for the past 61 years. Charles was involved in almost every facet of the church. At the church, he served as a Deacon, taught Sunday School, participated on the Building and Organ Committees, managed the sound systems, and volunteered on almost all the other events, fundraisers, and activities at the church. He loved being a part of the Church community and considered his fellow parishioners as a second family. Charles’s faith and trust in God were steadfast and it gives his family and friends comfort that his faith will now be rewarded in the joys of heaven. Charles was a man devoted to his family. He was a loving husband to his wife Ann for 62 years. They were always together at church and at home. They were a team. They enjoyed raising their family together, vacations, friends, and all throughout their lives were there to support each other as was seen especially in their later years. As a father, Charles was always there for his children, encouraging, supporting, and enriching their lives. He loved it when he became a grandfather and loved spoiling his grandkids. After his retirement in 1993, Charles took all 12 members of his family to Disney World every other year. No one was sure who had more fun, the kids and grandkids, or Charles watching his family having fun and bonding as a family. Another special place for Charles was the family home in Tuftonboro on Lake Winnipesauke. It was the place everyone in the family including his siblings and their families gathered every summer for the past 60 plus years. They enjoyed boating, water skiing, swimming, and having fun as a family. Charles was a strong role model for his family showing them how to balance hard work, faith, and family. He leaves them all with strong foundations on which they have built their lives and countless memories filled with love and laughter. Charles was the beloved husband of Ann (Crosby). He was the loving father of Diane Mollison & her husband James of Merritt Island, FL and David Onthank & his wife Christine of Groton, MA. He was the brother of John of Vernon, CT and the late Marcia Low. He was the proud grandfather of Matthew & his wife Cassandra Mollison, Andrew, Gregory, & Sarah Mollison, Daniel Connors, and Kaitlin Onthank and great grandfather of Shae Mollison. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to a Memorial Service which will be held at the United Church of Christ Congregational Church, Burlington on Saturday, Oct. 7 at 2 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorials in Charles’s name may be made to the United Church of Christ Congregational, 6 Lexington St., Burlington, MA 01803.