HAVERHILL: Charles E. Eastman, 86, died Monday, January 25, 2010 in the Merrimack Valley Hospital. He was the husband of the late Eleanor C. (Leary) Eastman who died in June 1999.
Born in Somerville on July 21, 1923, he was the son of the late Ernest F. and Alice B. (Bowen) Eastman. He was a graduate of Somerville High School class of 1942. He had resided in Somerville for many years before moving to Haverhill in 1950.
He was employed as a quality assurance specialist in the Department of Defense for the U.S. Government for thirty-three years before his retirement in 1989.
Spending time with his family was foremost in his life, where he had many cherished memories of times spent together. Charles was a person who embraced the opportunity and challenge of learning through new experiences. He was an avid gardener and enjoyed his time as a Ham Radio Operator.
Charles was a parishioner of All Saints Church where he served as a Eucharistic Minister and was an active volunteer at its food pantry. He was also a member in The Bishop Jeremiah F. Minihan Knights of Columbus Council 202, a former member of the Ayers Village Volunteer Fire Company for twenty-five years and former member of Ward 1 Democratic City Committee.
He is survived by his son and daughter-in-law, James B. and Terri Eastman of Grafton, NH, two daughters, Elizabeth A. Dennehy of Haverhill and Elaine M. Eastman of Salisbury, six grandchildren, Beth Collins, Michael Dennehy, Rebecca, Leanne, Christopher and Megan Eastman, five great-grandchildren, one brother, Ernest Eastman of Wilmington, DE and several nieces and nephews. He was also predeceased by his son, Charles E. Eastman, Jr. and a sister, Marjorie Bennett.
His funeral Mass will be celebrated on Friday in the All Saints Church, Bellevue Ave., Haverhill at 10 a.m. Visiting hours will be held on Thursday in the Linnehan-Grondin Funeral Home, 129 Kenoza Avenue, Haverhill from 4 - 7 p.m. Relatives and friends are cordially invited to attend. Expressions of sympathy may be made in his memory to the Charles E. Eastman, Jr. Scholarship Fund, c/o St. Anselm College, the Office of Development, 100 St. Anselm Dr., Manchester, NH 03102. Interment will be held in the St. Patrick's Cemetery, Haverhill.