June 4, 2020

Deacon Charles Wainwright dies at 74

REGIONAL

WEST SPRINGFIELD — Deacon Charles William Wainwright, 74, of West Springfield, husband of Jeanne (Kendzierski) Wainwright, lost his battle with cancer and died peacefully on Tuesday, June 2, at home with his family.

Born on July 5, 1945 in Ludlow, he was son of the late William and Jeanette (Babcock) Wainwright. He attended Technical High School in Springfield and finished his education by attending Hamilton Standard Drafting School and Western New England College. He joined the Massachusetts National Guard 104th Infantry and was assigned to the Chicopee Armory. He was honorably discharged in 1971.

In 2005, he was ordained a permanent deacon in the Diocese of Springfield. He also was a member of Knights of Columbus Council 69 and American Legion Post 452 and a member of Ludlow Fish and Game and the Pioneer Valley Sportsman Clubs.

He loved cars and was a member of Tigers East/Alpines East Car Club. He enjoyed fishing with his grandsons and skeet shooting with his daughter, Katie. He and his wife would have celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary this Aug, 22.

Besides his wife, Jeanne, he leaves two daughters, Lisa Kaminski and her husband, Rich, of Tyngsborough, and Katie Nelson and her husband, David, of Dover, N.H. He also leaves his grandsons, Ryan and Zachary Kaminski. He also leaves a brother, James Wainwright, and his wife, Pat, of Ludlow. He was predeceased by his brother, William Donald Wainwright.

There will be a funeral Mass Saturday, June 6, at 10 a.m. at St. Thomas the Apostle Church, West Springfield, followed by burial at St. Stanislaus Cemetery in Chicopee. To livestream the funeral Mass, visit www.toomeyobrien.com and follow the instructions at the bottom of the obituary; or enter this hyperlink https://vimeo.com/event/36879 into your browser.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Parish Cupboard, 1023 Main St., West Springfield, MA 01089 or Lorraine’s Soup Kitchen & Pantry, 170 Pendexter Avenue, Chicopee, MA, 01013.