Shrewsbury – Charles Mark Fournier, 85, of Shrewsbury, passed away peacefully at the Rose Monahan Hospice Home in Worcester on Friday, May 12, 2023, following a short period of declining health. A private ceremony was held on May 19th in accordance with the family’s wishes.
Charles, known to many as Charlie or Chuck, leaves behind his wife of 53 years, Mary L. (Tagliamonti) Fournier, his daughter Lauren, his son Mark, and his nephew Charles Stadler.
Charles was born in Worcester to Edgar Fournier and Natalie Ritter. He was predeceased by his older sister, Joan Stadler of New York.
Charles grew up and received his primary through high school education in Westborough, Massachusetts. He graduated from Worcester State College in 1959 with a degree in education and in 1963 earned a master’s degree in education from the same institution.
After graduation, Charles began teaching in the Westborough school system. During his 38-year career he taught science, math, and social studies, and later served as the principal of the Armstrong School and the Fales School. He took particular delight in working together with school faculty and students to hold special events, such as school spelling bees.
An expert handyman, Charles did his own carpentry, electrical work, and plumbing. Charles loved nature and spent many hours outdoors, cutting the grass and pruning trees. He followed the astronomical calendar and liked to watch eclipses of the sun and moon.
Charles enjoyed making trips to the store for groceries or home maintenance supplies and could often be seen around town engaged in lively conversations with friends and former colleagues and students that he happened to meet on these occasions.
Charles had a laid-back philosophy for life. One of his long-standing pieces of advice to family members was, “Let the guy have the parking space, if he’s in that much of a hurry. You can find another space to park.”
Donations in Charles’ memory can be made to the Rose Monahan Hospice Home. https://vnacarenetwork.ejoinme.org/VNACare.
The Chiampa Funeral Home of Shrewsbury assisted with arrangements.
