Charles Henry Fargo, Jr., 91, of Duxbury, Massachusetts passed away peacefully on July 7, 2017. Charlie was born in Boston, MA in 1926 to the late Charles Henry Fargo, Sr. and Gwendolyn Hart Fargo. Raised in Chicago, IL for the first few years of his life after the untimely death of his father in a military plane crash in 1932 his family moved back to Massachusetts and settled in Milton summering in Duxbury.
Charlie was drafted the day after graduating from Milton High School and joined the 10th Mountain Division of the U.S. Army. WWII ended during his deployment and Charlie stayed on with the Signal Corps of the 88th Division in Italy for an additional year. Soon after his return from Europe the Korean war broke out and Charlie was called up again serving in the Signal Corps. at Fort Bragg, NC. After his discharge Charlie returned to Massachusetts, attended MIT, and began his life long career in commercial real estate. Employed by Hunneman and Company for 23 years he later traveled the world while working for the First National Bank of Boston in facilities acquisitions.
Charlie’s involvement in community service was significant and diverse as he was a Director of Mass Audubon for 45 years, Founding Member and a Trustee of the Duxbury Beach Reservation, Inc. for over 40 years, Chairman of the Board of Project Gurnet and Bug Lights, Inc. for over 20 years, Founder and Board Member of the Duxbury Bay Maritime School for over 15 years, Moderator of the Town of Duxbury for 10 years, Director of Community Workshops, Inc., Director of the South Shore Conservatory, Commodore of the Duxbury Yacht Club, State Chairman of Ducks Unlimited, and involved with other organizations of importance to him.
Activities of interest included skiing, ocean racing, and duck hunting. Socially, Charlie was a member of the Duxbury Yacht Club, Wharf Rats, ROMEOS, and the Old Colony Club of Plymouth.
Predeceased by his beloved wife of 56 years Gwendolyn Van Mater Fargo and his brother Bronson H. Fargo, he is survived by son Charles H. Fargo III and wife Jean of St. Petersburg, FL, son Peter A. Fargo and wife Linda Wood of Walpole, MA, daughter Sara H. Fargo and husband Edward Newell of Duxbury, MA; five grandchildren, Christopher K. Fargo of New York, NY, Laura Fargo McKinnon of Fort Worth, TX, Julie B. Fargo of Tempe, AZ, Peter A. Fargo, Jr. of Waltham, MA, and Mary M. Fargo of Scituate, MA; three great grandchildren, Foster McKinnon, Rex Fargo, and Bronson Fargo; two sisters, Helen MacKay and Elizabeth Bradley both of Hingham, MA; close family friend Barbara Carlson of Marshfield, MA; and beloved dog, Remi.
A private family graveside service will be held. Donations may be made in Charlie’s memory to Mass Audubon, 208 South Great Road, Lincoln, MA 01773 or Duxbury Beach Reservation, Inc., P.O. Box 2593, Duxbury, MA 02331.