Charles Francis Lowry Jr., a 7 year resident of Wakefield, and former 50 year resident of Arlington, entered into eternal life peacefully in his home on April 8, 2014 surrounded by family members. He was 86 years old.
Charles was born in Cambridge on June 23, 1927, a son of the late Charles F. Lowry and Alice (Gaffney) Lowry. He grew up in Cambridge where he graduated from Cambridge High and Latin. During Charles’ youth, his family split their time between their Cambridge and Pembroke homes. Just one week after his eighteenth birthday, Charles was drafted into the U.S. Army Air Corps, serving with pride during WWII. Charles was stationed in Germany, where he helped with reconstruction, building airstrips, during and after the war. While stationed in Germany, Charles would hunt deer in order to help feed the hungry townspeople, who were not permitted to own weapons. When Charles returned home in 1947, he graduated from Newton Junior College and attended classes at Northeastern University while working at his father’s business, Lowry Opticians, in Harvard Square. When Charles’ father passed away suddenly at age 59, Charles took over the business until 1978, when he sold it and went to work for an optical wholesaler.
Charles was the devoted husband of 57 years to Mary Lu (Mullin) Lowry. He was the loving father of Michael Lowry and his wife Angela of Seabrook NH, Marian and her husband Robert Laviolette of West Springfield, Sharon Lowry of Framingham, Matthew Lowry and his wife Elizabeth of Wakefield, and the late Maura Lowry. He was the indulgent grandfather of Justin, Andrew, and Emma, and doting great grandfather of Alicia, Alyson, and Payton. He was the beloved brother of Mary A. Lowry and her partner Marion Lill of Worcester.
Relatives and friends are invited to attend Charles’ Funeral Mass on Saturday April 12, 2014 in the Most Blessed Sacrament Church 1155 Main St. Wakefield at 11 A.M. A gathering at the Parish Hall to share memories with the family will follow the church service. Interment will be private.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that a memorial donation be made in Charles’ name to the Wakefield Interfaith Food Pantry, PO Box 1624, Wakefield, MA 01880.