Charles "Charley" Joseph DeAngelus,Sr., 92, of Dalton, died Thursday, January 23, 2014, after a long
Illness. Born in Dalton on December 10, 1921, son of Joseph and Virginia Casella DeAngelus, he was a
1939 graduate of Dalton High School.
A World War II veteran, Mr. DeAngelus served as a Chief Boatswain Mate with the United States
Maritime Service and Naval Reserve from 1941 to 1946.
Charley was employed by Crane & Company, Inc., in Dalton, where he was the Safety
Coordinator for the Byron-Weston Mill. He retired in August 1991 with 51 years service.
He had been the proprietor of the Hinsdale Home Club from 1955 to 1970, and for four years,
he was the bar manager for Jiminy Peak Ski Resort.
He was a communicant of St. Agnes Church.
Charley is best remembered for his work with the Lions organization. He was a charter member
of the Hinsdale Lions Club for 59 years, 55 of which he had perfect attendance. He served three times as
President and ten years as Secretary, and held all offices of the club for at least one year. For twenty
years, he ran a basketball tournament in Hinsdale for kids In Grades 5-8 during February school vacation
for which he received no compensation.
He served the Lions District Office as a cabinet member for 50 years, and during that time
brought in three Lions clubs, seventeen Lioness clubs, and four Leo clubs. He served on the state
convention seven years and was chairman twice; chairman for six midwinters; chairman of Governor's
State Council twice. He was past president of the Massachusetts Lions Eye Research and served on the
Eye Research Board for ten years. He was a life member of the Mass Lions Eye Research Board; for
many years, he was a reporter for the "Eye Catcher" bulletin.
In 1973, he founded the District 33-Y Emergency Sight and Hearing Foundation, and served as its
chairman for thirty five years. He served six years on the Lions Eye Research Fund, Inc. Board as
Director-Secretary-First Vice President and finally President and raised $300,000 for eye research the
year he was president. In 1981, he was appointed Secretary of the Mass Lions Council of Governors, in
1982, Treasurer, and in 1983, Chairman. He served six years on the state convention committee and
was chairman twice.
He was a life member of Lions International, and brought in 42 members. He received two eye
research trust and endowment fund awards, and the Melvin Jones Award. He was a Master Key
member in 42 members. He received the Hinsdale Lion of the Year Award, two emergency fund C.J.D.
Fellowship awards, and two presidential citations from International President Joe McLaughlin for work
with the Lions and from International President Bert Mason for his community service.
He also received the Paul Rhode Civil Award in Dalton, the Gib Kittredge Civil Award in Dalton,
the Grange Civil Award in Hinsdale, the Youth Center founder's award in Hinsdale. In 1988 he received
the Junior Achievement Award for Berkshire County. He formed the Hinsdale Recreation Committee
and served on the board for 15 years.
Charley founded the Hinsdale Youth Center project on which the Hinsdale Lions spent
$60,000 and have operated it since 1963. He founded the Dalton Hinsdale Little League and served as a
coach and president, founded the Hinsdale Junior Football team and coaches for five years, served as
Selectman in Hinsdale for six years, served as chairman for the Berkshire County Lions to purchase
special operating eye equipment for Hillcrest Hospital served as District 33-Y Chairman for the drive to
get a hearing aid resting machine for $5,000, started the drive to get a kidney dialysis unit at Berkshire
Medical Center which raised $5,000 toward buying the first machine.
From 1955 to 1970, Charley went house-to-house on Christmas Eve in Hinsdale as Santa
Claus, and from 1971 to 1990, went house-to-house on Christmas Eve in Dalton as Santa Claus for the
Dalton C.R.A.
He also received the Hinsdale Lions Arnold Buckley Civic Award in Hinsdale for community
service. He founded and organized the Hinsdale-Dalton pee wee baseball league and was president 15
years; he received a plaque for outstanding service to the league and received an appreciation plaque
from members and parents of the Hinsdale Pee Wee Team.
He was former member of the Dalton Community House Board of Governors for three years;
former selectman of Hinsdale, serving two three-year terms and was chairman two years, former
chairman of the Dalton Parks and Recreation Committee, former director of the Dalton Youth Center for
years and initiated the boxing and judo programs at the Center. For 30 years, he was involved in the
Dalton softball league and served two terms are president. He was a member of the Dalton Volunteer
Fire Department for eight years. For 22 years, he was a member of the Pittsfield AERE of Eagles, for
fourteen years he was a member of the United Commercial Travelers. For twenty years he was a civil
deputy sheriff of Berkshire County.
Charley leaves his loving wife of 42 years, the former Marlene Kendrick, whom he married
October 9, 1971.
He is also survived by four sons, Michael DeAngelus of Morganton, North Carolina, Charles J.
DeAngelus, Jr., of Sherman Oaks, California, Michael Chilson of Goshen, New Hampshire, and Jeffrey
Jandran of Ladonia, Texas; three daughters, Carol Yarbrough of Babson Park, Florida, Virginia "Tobie"
Petkus of Dalton, and Julie Jandran of Pittsfield; seven grandchildren and four great grandchildren.; as
well as a brother, Louis DeAngelus of Rome, Georgia; and a sister, Jennie Baumann of Hinsdale.
He was pre-deceased by five brothers, Anthony, Angelo, Freddy, Archie, and John, and two
sisters, Ethel "Dolly" Dixon and Loretta DeFonte.

FUNERAL NOTICE:
Funeral services for Charles "Charley" Joseph DeAngelus will be held Saturday, February 1, at
8:15 am., from DERY-FOLEY FUNERAL HOME in Dalton with a Liturgy of Christian Burial at 9:00 a.m., at
St. Agnes Church celebrated by Rev. Christopher A. Malatesta, Pastor. Burial will follow in Ashuelot
Cemetery. Calling hours will be held Friday, from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m., at the Funeral Home. In lieu of
flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Hinsdale Lions Club in care of DERY-FOLEY FUNERAL
HOME, 890 East Main Street, Dalton.

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