Charles Paboojian, 102, of Haverhill passed away on December 13, 2024, at his residence, surrounded by his loving family and friends.

He was born in Haverhill on January 6, 1922, son of the late Nicholas and Rose Paboojian.

Charlie married Arlene “Blondie” Murphy in 1947, and they were happily married for nearly 70 years before he lost Arlene in 2016. Together they built their home in Riverside in 1958 where he lived until passing peacefully, in his own bed, as he wished.

Charlie attended School Street School and Haverhill High School, class of 1940, attended Franklin Institute, and joined the Navy in 1944, where he attended radar school. Assigned to USS Firedrake (AE-14), he served in the South Pacific and received two battle stars, one for the Liberation of the Philippines, and one for the Battle of Okinawa. He was discharged in 1946 with high honors.

Charlie worked at Stein & Sulkus Shoe Factory in Haverhill, becoming the youngest cutting room foreman in N.E. He worked at National Footwear in Epping NH, where he was given the opportunity to spend a year in Haiti at the company’s satellite factory teaching cutting room management. Charlie retired from G.R. Swartz (Q.S.P.) in 1994 as plant supervisor.

Always a very active guy until macular degeneration deprived him of his sight, Charlie enjoyed many sports, including golf (Rogers Memorial Golf Tournament Masters Division), snowmobiling, fishing and hunting waterfowl, and bowling (high triple 398). In fact, he was still bowling in a league until last year. He loved food, especially his yearly post-fireworks well-done hot dog, known as a “Chuck heavy.”

An avid swimmer, at age 15 Charlie received American Red Cross junior life saving certification and at age 17 actually saved a man’s life at Salem Willows. He built his own in-ground pool where he taught many children to swim and dive.

Among his survivors are his dear friend/ “daughter”, Anna Crane, “grandsons” Matthew Crane and Michael Crane, Mike’s wife, Heather, and “great grands” Amelia Ann and Harper Charlie Crane, dear friends Cindy and Paul Woiceshook (and their children David Woiceshook and Jess Ingemi), Deb and Chris Cook and Terri and Joe Hurley, all of whom dedicated themselves to making his later years as comfortable and meaningful as possible and fulfilling his desire to pass at home when his time finally came, staying at his side during his transition.

Charlie also leaves behind his niece Cindy Ann and her husband, Mark Gleckman, and a nephew, Keith Stanwood. Charlie was also predeceased by sisters, Anna Paboojian Stanwood and Mary Paboojian Shahinian.

Services will be private, with interment at Linwood Cemetery, Haverhill. Arrangements are by the H.L. Farmer & Sons Funeral Homes and Cremation Service, Bradford~Haverhill.

Anyone wishing to make a memorial donation is urged to consider the Macular Degeneration Foundation, PO Box 515, Northampton, MA 01061, or the charity of choice.

To share a memory or for more information, please visit www.farmerfuneralhomes.com