Obituary of Charles A Markey

Charles Anthony Markey, Retired Deputy Fire Chief, Somerville Fire Department passed away peacefully at his home on December 16th. He was 91 years old. Charles was a man of family, faith, and community. He was born and raised in Somerville. He was the son of the late Charles J. and Susan Yeo Markey. His strong faith started at a very young age. He studied with the Juniorates at St. Joseph's of the Xavierian Brothers in Oak Hill, Peabody for 3 years before deciding that he did not need to be a Brother to serve his God. He went back to Somerville High School for his last year of high school. He was 17 years old when he enlisted in the United States Navy to fight in World War II. He was assigned to the Seabees and the Navy’s 37th Construction Battalion. He worked on building vital airstrips and roads in the Solomon Islands. He fought in The Battle of Okinawa, which was the last major battle of World War II, and one of the bloodiest. On April 1, 1945, Easter Sunday, the Navy's Fifth Fleet and more than 180,000 U.S. Army and U.S. Marine Corps troops descended on the Pacific island of Okinawa for a final push towards Japan. He, like many young men of the that time, went to war as teenagers and returned as men. He was discharged in February of 1946 holding the rank of Machinist Mate Second Class and was the recipient of the World War II Victory Medal, American Area Medal, Asiatic Pacific Area Medal and the Good Conduct Medal. Charlie would meet his loving wife, Patricia Silk, and they would marry in 1954. They lived in Somerville for a brief period and then settled in Burlington in 1966 where they would raise their family. Charlie and Patricia were married for 51 years until her death in 2006. Charlie had a long and distinguished career in the Somerville Fire Department. He began his career as a Private and studied hard to work his way up the ranks to become a Deputy Fire Chief. He held the position for 17 of his 32 years with the Somerville Fire Department and retired in 1989. Charlie took great pride in his career as a Fire Fighter. He projected leadership skills, a sense of community, comradery, dedication and faith. He constantly struggled with balancing the safety of the public with his men. He made sure his men were well trained, equipped, and prepared for any task that may arise. He had to make those difficult judgement calls when to send his men into a burning building or harm’s way knowing their safety and wellbeing were in his hands. His firefighters and their family were his family. It was a bond built on trust, respect, and friendship. He had endless stories about his friends and years spent in the fire department. Even with all Charles’s responsibilities with the fire department, he always found time for his family and community. He had been a resident of Burlington for 51 years. He was an elected member of Town Meeting, Ways and Means member, and Planning Board member and chairperson. Burlington became his home, it was where he raised his daughters, and wanted it to be the finest community possible. As a husband and father, he wanted the best for the women in his life. His family was everything to him. He worked as second job as a maintenance person at St. Margaret’s Church in Burlington for many years. He was a humble man and wanted to be the best father possible and a good provider. He would always say that he was “grateful” for having such a wonderful wife, marriage, and family. His children remember the fun memories spent at their summer home in Hampton Beach, how Charles could fix almost anything, how he loved working around his home and yard, his love of sports, especially watching the Red Sox, and always making time for friends and neighbors who needed a helping hand. Not only did Charles live a long life, but a fulfilling life. He always placed family and others first, gave of himself to his church, community and work, and always followed his strong Catholic faith. Charles was the beloved husband of the late Patricia (Silk). He was the loving father of Pat Orlando & her husband Jim of Billerica, Patti Ann Belinsky of Westford, Kathleen Markey of Longmont, CO, Mary Markey of Andover and Susan DiGangi & her husband David of Bedford. Brother of the late Rosemary Prentiss. He was the proud grandfather of James, Daniel & Joseph Orlando, Brandon Markey, Justin Belinsky, Shannon & Caitlin Ouellette, Michael & Mathew Greenlee, Dylan & Danielle DiGangi and Allison Cambridge. He was also survived by 14 great grandchildren and 1 great-great grandchild. Funeral from the Edward V Sullivan Funeral Home, 43 Winn St, BURLINGTON (Exit 34 off Rt. 128/95 Woburn side) on Thursday, Dec. 21 at 9 a.m. Followed by a Mass of Christian Burial in St. Michael’s Church, 90 Concord Rd., Bedford at 10 a.m. Visiting hours Wednesday 5-8 p.m. Interment in Chestnut Hill Cemetery, BURLINGTON. In lieu of flowers memorials in Charlie’s name may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105 or Make-A-Wish Foundation of Greater Boston, One Bulfinch Place, 2nd Floor, Boston, MA 02114