Charles E. Winterhalter, 44, of Dartmouth, left us to be with the Lord in Peace on December 29, 2008 after a long, heroic struggle with cancer. Charlie was born in New York, graduated from Dartmouth High School followed by Stonehill College in 1986, and has resided in Dartmouth for the last 34 years. He has touched the lives of so many and will be desperately missed by all.
Charlie was a true community leader having been deeply involved in numerous charities including the Schwartz Center for Children and the Ronald McDonald House Charities. He made us so proud being the President of the Eastern New England Ronald McDonald House Charities organization. Charlie's lifelong career was as a McDonald's owner/operator in New Bedford and Dartmouth.
Charlie was passionate about many activities including playing, watching and attending sporting events, especially the Boston Celtics, the Boston Red Sox and the New England Patriots. He loved to get together with his friends, go on vacation with his family and particularly enjoyed New York City. He had a great enthusiasm for coaching his sons' baseball and basketball teams. He will be remembered by his friends and family for his perseverance, determination, enthusiasm and passion for life.
He is survived by his wife Desiree and their three boys, Mitchel, Evan and Max; his parents, Joseph P. and Geraldine Winterhalter of Dartmouth; his brothers and sisters, Donna Rossomondo of New York, Joseph Winterhalter of Dartmouth, Eileen Waxler of Dartmouth, Maureen Winterhalter of Connecticut, John Winterhalter of Dartmouth, and Geri Sullivan of Dartmouth. His large family includes 24 nieces and nephews, along with his father-in-law and mother-in-law, Dr. Antonio and Judith Fernandes and many brothers-in-law and sisters-in law.
His Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Friday at 10 AM in St. Mary's Church, South Dartmouth. Burial will follow in St. Mary's Cemetery. Visiting hours will be Thursday from 1-7 PM in the Saunders-Dwyer Home For Funerals, 495 Park St. New Bedford. In lieu of flowers, Charlie and Desiree would appreciate donations being made to the RMHC of Eastern New England, 3 Industrial Drive #6, Windham, NH 03087. For directions and guestbook, please visit www.saundersdwyer.com.