Obituary
Charles Freemont Kitching, 97, affectionately known as “Da” by his grandchildren and
great-grandchildren, passed away peacefully at his home on December 10, 2022.
Charles was born on October 4th, 1925 in Sanford, Maine to Aglaia and Roland Kitching. After
graduating from high school he courageously enlisted in the United States Army and served in
WWII where he earned a Bronze Star and later received a letter of induction into the French
Legion of Honor. One of his greatest memories was being invited to the Volusia Honor Air’s trip
to the World War II Memorials in Washington D.C.
After proudly serving, Charles continued his education at the University of Maine where he
received his B.A. He later moved to Lexington, Massachusetts to raise his family and spent his
professional career as a group insurance sales manager. He retired to New Smyrna Beach,
Florida where his kind, warm and outgoing personality gave joy to his friends and neighbors. His
dedication and love for the game of Bridge earned him the Life Master Certificate and a network
of life-long friends who shared his appreciation for traveling and touring the world.
He is predeceased by his wife of 50 years Lynn Kitching, his son Steven Kitching, and his
daughter Karen Plum.
He is survived by his daughter Nancy Ryan, sister Marilyn Klein, his cousin Joyce Otis and her
husband Bill, grandchildren Johanna Ryan and Justin Ryan and their father Jerry Ryan,
grandchildren Joshua Plum and Zachary Plum and their father Michael Plum, and 8
great-grandchildren. Charles’ family would also like to extend a heartfelt thank you to Vitas
Healthcare and his nurse, Sarah Davis, whose quick wit matched his every time.
In memory of Charles (Da, Kitch, Charlie, Chuck or however you remember him) please be kind
to others and share a laugh. We offer this remembrance of Charles, a poem written 2 years ago
by his long time neighbor, Bill Schneider, as a final farewell:
My Good Neighbor Chuck
Blessed are we in our senior years
To still enjoy comradery and banter with our peers.
At ninety-five years, nearly ten older than me
He still works in his yard, even plants an occasional tree.
So mentally alert with such a pleasant decorum
He amuses me with wit during our daily backyard forums.
I laugh heartily at his many humorous barbs
As he gently spreads topsoil over his yard.
The energy and wit he continuously
Is truly a model for us all approaching older days.
He says, “life is what it is”, and never passes the buck
My friend and mentor, my good neighbor Chuck.
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