Charles Edmund Spear, 90, of Portland died peacefully on Jan. 28, 2018 after a long illness. The youngest of seven children, he was born on Dec. 8, 1927 in East Boothbay to Charles Edwin and Ethel (Poor) Spear.

Educated in local schools, Charles graduated from Boothbay High School, immediately enlisting in the U.S. Navy. Following the Navy, he moved to Portland and joined the Coast Guard and then the Merchant Marines as an electrician. He traveled around the world, crossing the equator several times.

After his time in the service, he married Mary Rita Reardon, settled in the West End of Portland, and worked briefly at Curran Electric before beginning a 34-year career with New England Telephone & Telegraph Company. He also was an experienced carpenter and took on many supplemental jobs, even into retirement. He was an avid outdoorsman and very much enjoyed fishing, clamming, archery and hunting. Additionally, his artistic interests led to many oil and watercolor paintings.

He was predeceased by his parents and siblings: Ellsworth, Madeline, Donald, Virginia, Constance and Shirley.

He is survived by his sons, Charles of Milton, Vermont and Daniel of Portland; his grandchildren, Ethan, Dillon and Emma, all of Portland; and several nieces and nephews.

The family would like to thank the staff and nurses at the Barron Center 2N for their excellent and compassionate care.

A graveside service will be held at Oceanview Cemetery, Country Club Road, Boothbay, on Saturday, Feb. 17 at 11 a.m. 

Hall’s of Boothbay has care of the arrangements. To extend online condolences, please visit hallfuneralhomes.com