(4409) Charles Louis Day b.12/7/1914 -10/11/1998 m.8/9/1937 to Margaret Amelia Allison
There are a number of things I remember Dad doing regularly. He always read the newspaper and listened to an early morning news broadcast before heading out to work. He kept himself current on town, state, and national events. He and Mom taught us civics in the home, community, and nation, both as good examples and sometimes as scout counselors. As the family increased to seven (five boys), individual time with Dad became more scarce. Yet he always made himself available to get us to our various activities and spent a fair amount of time watching our scouting progress and providing good counsel. A few times when we did winter camping he would be the only one to come check on us after a major snowfall. He had a sense of adventure and often would take us on trips to see his brother in Vermont or sister in New York on very little notice. If we got to George's very early he might get some pots and pans and bang them together to get them up, and you could bet George would reciprocate on his next visit to Connecticut.
Dad always enjoyed having a garden and plenty of potatoes in the potato bin. He took great pride in owning his HI Farmall cub tractor, and when the time came, in teaching the boys to plow gardens and snow, and to cut cordwood. Being the eldest, I well remember him teaching me to drive the tractor - then when he thought it was safe, he left me driving in the field while he went to get Mom to come "see."
When Dad wanted to become Town Clerk he visited most of the homes in town and told people of his desires and abilities. I accompanied him on many of these trips and think I may have learned a little about approaching and dealing with people. The outcome of these trips resulted in the Town Clerk's office being in our home most of the time we boys were growing up. We learned a lot from Dad and Mom in the office, from answering the phone to issuing dog and fishing licenses. Dad was born in Barkhamsted and really watched out for the town's welfare. His concern came only after the well-being of his family.
Dad also had a sense of humor. One April Fool's morning, he came in and woke Don and me up and said, "You're going to be late - the bus has already gone down through and will be coming back up picking up kids soon." He and Mom gently harassed us until we finally got our things together and were ready. About this time, it started to hit us that it was much darker than usual, the radio had a strange program for this hour, and why was Dad still home... Dad and Mom got to say April Fools to us and we had a good laugh. I think Mom and Dad thought it just a little funnier than Don and I. Dad achieved many things in life, but I suspect raising 5 boys was near the top of his list.
Charlie Jr. - (4515)
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