Obituary for Charles Henry Rohlfs, III
Charles Henry Rohlfs III passed peacefully at home surrounded by his family June 13, 2021. Charlie was born May 2, 1939 in Carbondale, PA to Julia (Jule) Coggins & Charles Rohlfs II. He moved to Pittsfield at a young age, where he attended Cranwell Preparatory School then Pittsfield High School. After graduating from high school, he opened his own painting company. He could build anything without plans, often repurposing & incorporating cemetery fences, church pews, barn wood, etc. into his designs. Charlie assisted his dad in building the first residential all brick house in Pittsfield, a family home on Laurel Lake, and eventually his own brick house in Hinsdale. He considered the late artist John Stritch a friend as they admired each other’s work. A Stritch piece complements his perennial garden. In addition to his painting business, Charlie operated H&C Realty until 2019. He built & rehabbed many apartment buildings in his lifetime, often letting tenants move in with just a hand-shake. In his retirement he most enjoyed being out in nature, spending his days landscaping his properties and smoking his pipe on the back deck while overseeing the wildlife activity. He also served for 5 years in the Army Reserves.
Charlie was the epitome of a jack of all trades. He was always building, collecting, or refurbishing something yet his greatest love was time spent with his family. Later in life he became the ultimate “girl dad” supporting his daughters through all their athletic, scholarly, and extracurricular endeavors. Charlie leaves behind his beloved son, Charles Rohlfs IV of Pittsfield MA, daughters Chelsi Jule (CJ) Morrison-Rohlfs of Hinsdale MA, Tiereny Lynn Morrison-Rohlfs of Hull MA, grandchildren Charles IV, Christopher, Holly Heck (Michael), and Patrick (Renee), a brother, Major Michael Rohlfs USMC Ret (Laurel) of Virginia Beach VA, a sister Patricia of Marina Del Rey CA, and countless more relatives and friends. Charlie also leaves behind his ex-wife, Eileen Morrison (Terry Caden) and will always be considered part of the Morrison-Chiacchiaretto clan. For the last several years, Charlie had been endlessly grateful for the care and support that Eileen so selflessly provided. Charlie is also survived by his ex-wife Christine Ciskowski. He was pre-deceased by his ex-wife Judy McLeod.
The Family would like to thank the angels at Hospice Care who provided compassionate care during his last days of life. We also thank his dearest friends Stuart Sargent Jr. & Deb Smith for their endless support & visits throughout the years. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Haiti Plunge Inc. or the Eleanor Sonsini Animal Shelter through Dery Funeral Home.
A celebration of life will be held at Wahconah Country Club in Dalton, MA this Friday June 18, 2021 at 1pm. A liturgy of Christian Burial will be held Saturday June 19, 2021 at 2pm at St Agnes Church in Dalton, MA. Spreading of ashes will be private. There will be no calling hours.
Charlie was the epitome of a jack of all trades. He was always building, collecting, or refurbishing something yet his greatest love was time spent with his family. Later in life he became the ultimate “girl dad” supporting his daughters through all their athletic, scholarly, and extracurricular endeavors. Charlie leaves behind his beloved son, Charles Rohlfs IV of Pittsfield MA, daughters Chelsi Jule (CJ) Morrison-Rohlfs of Hinsdale MA, Tiereny Lynn Morrison-Rohlfs of Hull MA, grandchildren Charles IV, Christopher, Holly Heck (Michael), and Patrick (Renee), a brother, Major Michael Rohlfs USMC Ret (Laurel) of Virginia Beach VA, a sister Patricia of Marina Del Rey CA, and countless more relatives and friends. Charlie also leaves behind his ex-wife, Eileen Morrison (Terry Caden) and will always be considered part of the Morrison-Chiacchiaretto clan. For the last several years, Charlie had been endlessly grateful for the care and support that Eileen so selflessly provided. Charlie is also survived by his ex-wife Christine Ciskowski. He was pre-deceased by his ex-wife Judy McLeod.
The Family would like to thank the angels at Hospice Care who provided compassionate care during his last days of life. We also thank his dearest friends Stuart Sargent Jr. & Deb Smith for their endless support & visits throughout the years. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Haiti Plunge Inc. or the Eleanor Sonsini Animal Shelter through Dery Funeral Home.
A celebration of life will be held at Wahconah Country Club in Dalton, MA this Friday June 18, 2021 at 1pm. A liturgy of Christian Burial will be held Saturday June 19, 2021 at 2pm at St Agnes Church in Dalton, MA. Spreading of ashes will be private. There will be no calling hours.