LARSON, Charles 

Charles Herbert Larson, 73, of Old Lyme, passed away at home November 28, 2011, after a lengthy illness. He will be dearly missed by his wife of 48 years, Elin (Bloomquist), and their three children and families, Christina and Anton Rao of Cheshire, Jennifer and Charlie Silverman of Farmington, and Stephen and Emely Larson of Newington. His five grandchildren, Samantha, Brynna, and Michaela Rao, and Nick and Alex Silverman, will treasure fond memories of Grampa Larson and life at the lake. Born and raised in New Britain, CT, only child of Herbert and Gunborg (Hallsten) Larson, Charlie graduated from Yale and began his metallurgical career at the Fafnir Bearing Company , going on to work at Associated Spring/ Barnes Group in Bristol for thirty years. He mentored many young co-workers and served as President of the Hartford Chapter, American Society for Metals. Charlie was a talented and caring man who loved his family, friends and neighbors, co-workers, caregivers, church family, and community. He was a Family Advocate volunteer in the Intensive Care Unit at New Britain General Hospital for several years. A lover of church and classical music, Charlie sang in his church choir, Cappella Cantorum and Con Brio. A devoted church member, Charlie gave selflessly of his time and talent throughout his life, holding many positions of leadership and service. Most recently, Charlie and Elin were the "clean-up crew" at the Congregational Church's soup kitchen every month for seven years. His favorite moments were spent with family and good friends, playing word games, telling jokes and stories, playing golf, and visiting Sweden and family there. The Larsons treasured their thirty years in Newington and their neighborhood family. Retirement led to the joy of moving to the Larson home on Rogers Lake. Charlie and Elin counted their many blessings every day. 
A Memorial Service will be held Friday, (December 2, 2011), at The First Congregational Church of Old Lyme at 1 p.m. Friends may call Thursday, (December 1st), from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Fulton-Theroux Funeral Service, 13 Beckwith Lane, Old Lyme. A Committal Service will be conducted at the Fairview Cemetery in New Britain, on Saturday, December 3rd at 11AM. Friends are welcome to attend and to share a time of fellowship at the Silverman home in Farmington from noon to 4 p.m. following the committal service. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the First Congregational Church of Old Lyme Food Pantry Ministry 2 Ferry Rd., Old Lyme, CT 06371 or to a charity of the donor's choice .