Charles Stanley “Charlie” Sample, age 87, of Warwick passed away peacefully Saturday February 26, 2022, surrounded by his loving family. Charlie was the beloved husband of Barbara (Bessette) Sample for 50 years. Together they made a life filled with love and family. Born in Brockton, MA on February 17, 1935, he was the son of Howard and Marjorie (Southwick) Sample. Minus several childhood years in Marlboro and East Bridgewater, Brockton was Charlie’s stomping ground. “Stanley”, as he was fondly known to family and friends, spent summers camping, canoeing, and swimming with his family in Wareham, MA. Winters, he was on Tack Pond ice with hockey stick in hand in the backyard of the family’s Pleasant St home in Brockton with brother, Larry and the neighborhood boys. The Sample boys were the first ones on and last ones off the pond. A 1952 graduate of Brockton High School, Charlie was co-captain of BHS’s hockey squad. The place where he made some of his longest lasting friendships was racing toward the net. Sports and athletics were his interests and the US Air Force was his ambition. Charlie enlisted and served in the Air Force during the Korean War 1953-1957. As a dedicated veteran, he was later stationed at Hanscom Air Force Reserve Base, 94 troop carrier wing at Bedford MA from 1959-1969, then employed as a Quality Assurance Specialist for Defense Logistics Agency Boston District, Providence Office from 1969-1994. When he retired in 1994 he had been in Government Services for 41 years. Post-retirement Charlie delivered lost luggage for Green Airport, Providence, RI, as he had a passion for classy cars and didn’t shy away from long drives. Charlie kept his stick on the ice as an avid amateur hockey player for the South Shore and Cape Cod Hockey Leagues. He was a former member of the Warwick Old Timers League and RI Oldies Hockey League of Pawtucket, RI. He coached PAL and WJHA hockey programs from 1971-1981. He also enjoyed golf as a member of the South Eastern New England Senior Golf Association. In addition to his wife, Barbara, Charlie is survived by a sister Elsie Lizio, of Brockton, his children Mary-Ellen (Raleigh) Jenkins, Larry (Jenn) Sample, Christine (Michael) Iadevaia, and Chuck Sample, as well as several grandchildren and great grandchildren. He was predeceased by brothers Larry and David, Sister Anita Sethares, and son, Edward L. Walsh, Jr. The family would like to express sincere gratitude to Alpine Nursing Home administration and staff for the care and compassion that Charlie received while making it his home. His funeral was held on Wednesday, March 9, from the Barrett & Cotter Funeral Home, 1328 Warwick Avenue, Spring Green, Warwick, with a Mass of Christian Burial in St. Kevin Church, 333 Sandy Lane, Warwick. Burial with military honors was in the Rhode Island Veterans Cemetery, Exeter. To leave condolence messages, please visit www.barrettandcotter.com
