Charles Leon Tarby, age 89, beloved husband of 69 years to Jeanne A. Tarby of Seymour, died peacefully on December 11, 2024 at Griffin Hospital, surrounded by his family. Born in Bronx, NY on April 23, 1935, he was the son of the late Peter and Mary Williams Tarby, who later moved the family to Connecticut. Charlie, as he was affectionately known, grew up in Oxford and was a 1953 graduate of Seymour High School.
Charlie was a self-employed contractor and owner of Charles Tarby (& Sons) (& Daughters) painting and wallpaper business for over 60 years, until the time of his retirement in 2014. Charlie’s reputation as a master craftsman and paper hanger was renowned throughout the greater valley area. Simultaneously he was a licensed realtor with the Ruth Murphy Real Estate Agency of Seymour.
From July of 1985 through November of 2018, Charlie could be found every Sunday, and many other days, at the Colonial Tavern in Oxford, working with his wife Jeanne and son Tom, in the family catering business.
Charlie was the designated diplomat- schmoozing with the customers or engaging in a battle of wits with longtime friend and Valley icon, Roy Tidmarsh. He was a 49-year veteran member of the Great Hill Hose Company of Seymour and a communicant of the Church of the Good Shepherd, St. Nicholas Parish, Seymour. On atrip with a friend to Mount Vernon, NY in 1954, Charlie met the love of his life, Jeanne DiCintio, on a blind date. Following an extended, mostly one-sided courtship, he finally convinced her to elope in March 1955, marking the beginning of a 69-year love affair.
When they weren’t off enjoying ocean cruises, long country drives in his Chevy pick-up or taking leisurely strolls at Southford Falls, Charlie took pleasure in riding his lawn mower, working on home improvement projects, tending to his garden, or sitting in an office chair in his garage smoking a Philly Titan. He was a lover of animals and sweets.
Charlie was a devoted husband, father, and grandfather; but he found an entirely new identity as a loving great-grandfather.
In addition to his wife Jeanne, Charlie is survived by his loving children, Laurie Bonanzio and her husband Bob of Seymour, Robyn Generali and her husband Ed of Westerly, RI, Charles “Tom” Tarby and his wife Joan of Woodbury, Timothy Tarby and his wife Jill of Chicago, IL, and Matthew Tarby of Phoenix, AZ; A sister, Beverly Mock of FL; cherished grandchildren Jeffrey Darak and his wife Kylie of AL, Meghan Slekis and her husband Tom of Oxford, Ryan Tarby and his wife Ashley of TX, Gina and Nick Bonanzio of Seymour, Emily and Natalie Tarby of Chicago, Nicole and Madison Tarby of AZ; great-grandchildren Jocelyn and Zephyr Darak, Henry, Esme and Violet Slekis. He was predeceased by his brother Peter “Ty” Tarby.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:00 am on December 28, 2024, at the Church of the Good Shepherd, St. Nicholas Parish, 135 Mountain Road, Seymour. Interment will be private. Memorial contributions may be made to the Great Hill Hose Company, 140 Botsford Road, Seymour, CT 06483 or to the CT Children’s Medical Center through the Connecticut Children’s Foundation, Inc. 282 Washington St, Hartford, CT 06106, https://give.connecticutchildrens.org/give/327729/#!/donation/checkout.The Wakelee Memorial Funeral Home, 167 Wakelee Avenue, Ansonia is in care of arrangements. Online condolences may be made at www.wakeleememorial.com.
