Charles W. Foss, 91, husband of Elaine (Roberts) Foss of Western Avenue, Essex, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by his family on Saturday, August 20, 2016.

He was born August 8, 1925 in Portland, Maine, son of the late William Foss and  Martha M. (Whitcomb) Small. During WWII he served with the U.S. Army in the Asiatic Pacific Campaign.  Following his honorable discharge he went on to attend and graduate  Northeastern University  as an engineer. For many years he was employed by Sylvania Lighting Corporation in Salem. In retirement he worked as a bridge tender in Saint Petersburg, Forida. He loved the ocean which included  boating with his family.

In addition to his wife Elaine of sixty-four years he is survived by a  daughter, Catherine (Foss) Willis of Concord, NH; three grandchildren, Sean Reed of Essex,  Kellie (Johnson) Denoncourt of Concord NH, and Sally (Johnson) Small of Chester NH; twelve great grandchildren including Megan Reed, his caregiver of more than three years, and two great-great grandchildren. He was predeceased by his daughter Candace (Foss) Behringer.

A celebration of his life will be held  at a later date. Arrangements are under the direction of the Whittier-Porter Funeral Home of Ipswich.