WORCESTER-Charles F. Engdahl, 84, a former state representative, died Thursday, October 20, at Christopher House in Worcester.
His wife, Mary H. (Maloney) Engdahl, died in July 1994. He leaves three sons, Charles F. Engdahl, Jr. of Rutland, Robert A. Engdahl of Holden, and John P. Engdahl of Worcester; two daughters, Susan M. Laprade of Worcester and Mary E. Webber of Spencer; 14 grandchildren, 2 great grand-children, and 20 nieces and nephews. His brother, John P. Engdahl, and sister, Barbara E. Pentland, predeceased him.
He was born in Worcester son of Charles W. and Elizabeth V. (Tracy) Engdahl. He graduated from St. Peter’s High School where he served four years as class president and was an outstanding three sport athlete, and was inducted into the St. Peter’s Hall of Fame in 1988. He was an Army Air Force veteran of World War II, serving in China-Burma-India Theater.
Mr. Engdahl was a Massachusetts State Representative from 1969-1979, where he served as an Assistant Majority Leader on the House Rules Committee, the Vice Chair of the Committee on Corrections, and as a member of the Ways and Means, Social Welfare, and Insurance Committees. Previously, he worked as a letter carrier for the U.S. Postal Service and as a salesman for Texaco, Inc. of Worcester. He retired from his position as legislative liaison to the Massachusetts Commissioner of Public health in 1986.
He was a founding member and past president of St. Andrew the Apostle Men’s Club, a founder and first president of the Bobby Doerr (now James D. O’Brien) Little League, a member of the Worcester Parks and Recreation Commission, and a member of Immaculate Conception Church.
The family would like to express its gratitude for the wonderful, gentle, and loving care he received from his many friends at the Christopher House for making his final years as happy and comfortable as possible.
The funeral will be Monday, October 24 from CALLAHAN & FAY BROTHERS FUNERAL HOME, 61 Myrtle St. with a Mass at 10:00 a.m. at St Andrew the Apostle Church, 16 Spaulding St. Burial will be in St. John’s Cemetery. Calling hours will be Sunday, October 23 from 3:00 until 6:00 p.m. at the funeral home. Flowers may be sent, or donations made in his memory to the Christopher House, 20 Mary Scano Drive, Worcester, MA 01605.