Charles Sidney “Charlie” DeSantos
May 29, 1921 - April 18, 2020
Charles Sidney “Charlie” DeSantos, age 98, of Newark, DE, passed away Saturday, April 18, 2020 in hospice care at Christiana Hospital.
Born in West Haven, CT on May 29, 1921, he was the son of the late Nicholas and Hattie (Rosenthal) DeSantos. Charlie served in the U.S. Navy in both the Atlantic and Pacific fleet for 6 years during World War II. He moved to Delaware in 1950 to work for Delmarva Power as a Stationary Engineer at Edgemoor Power Station, retiring after 27 years. After retiring, he pursued several part time jobs and volunteered as a Blue Coat at Christiana Hospital.
Charlie was an adventurous man that loved travel, square dancing and church leadership activities that he shared with his wife, Shirley. Charlie was an active member of Hillcrest-Bellefonte Methodist Church for 48 years. After moving to Newark, he continued to serve in local church communities. Charlie’s major priorities in life were his family, service to God and helping others. He will be dearly missed by his family.
In addition to Charlie’s parents, he was preceded in death by his wife of 64 years, Shirley Florian DeSantos. He is survived by his daughters, Nancy Perlman of Canton, MA and Carol Olson (Ron) of Newark; grandchildren, Max Perlman (Nancy) of Canton, MA, Lori Perlman of San Francisco, CA, Todd Olson (Laura) of Raleigh, NC and Jamie Sokol (Kurt) of Newark; and 9 great grandchildren.
All services will be held privately.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Charlie’s memory to the Wounded Warrior Project, P.O. Box 758516, Topeka, KA 66675, or to First Presbyterian Church, 292 West Main Street, Attn: Financial Secretary, Newark, DE 19711.
Kathy Powers
Prayers for Charlie’s family. Charlie’s presence, smile and friendly & helpful ways will be missed by all here at Millcroft. May God Hold Him in The Palm of His Hand Until You Meet Again.
Dr & Mrs Bruce Turner
You will be missed Charlie, you were a great addition to our parents (June and Bob Turner’s) table 3 x day for the last year. You were a quiet gentleman who loved his ice cream with chocolate syrup. Rest In Peace our friend.
Wayne Dawson
My sympathy on the loss of your husband and father. While I didn’t know him well, I always like his warm smile and caring. My prayers go out to you all. (It has been many years so if you don’t remember me, I’m Kris Boyer’s cousin)
Jackie Evers
So sorry for your loss.We enjoyed seeing him at our handbell concerts. It sounds like he lived a very full life.
LuAnn and Tom
Charlie was a man who always had a smile on his face and was a model for how to age gracefully. We will forever remember his turkey carving skills as well as how much he was loved by his family in Delaware.
Linda Neel
Charlie was such a kind gentleman. I volunteered at Christiana Care with him for years. We had Charlie for dinner one evening as he shared with us photos and details of his many trips. We wanted to travel and he provided us many suggestions.
I always admired how well he dressed and how he remained so active in his senior years. He certainly loved his wife and family. You were very blessed to have him in your life.
May God comfort all of you in your sorrow.
Thomas Keane
I knew Charlie from Millcroft. He was a kind man to all those around him. He sat with my Mother…Lillian.. holding her hand during her last days and hours. As a retired Sailor. I enjoyed listening to his shipboard stories from WWII…Fair Winds and Following Seas Charlie!