Obituary for Charles Henry Bliss
Charles H. Bliss passed away peacefully, just a few weeks shy of his 97th birthday, on January 15, 2021 after a sudden onset of rapidly declining health. Before this brief period of illness, he lived a fully active and engaged life, which his family is very grateful for.
Charles was born March 3, 1924 to Henry Otis Bliss and Josephine Cross Bliss in the Village of Berkshire, Town of Lanesborough, Massachusetts. Charles attended schools in Berkshire Village and Dalton, Massachusetts and later graduated from Pittsfield High School. He was a veteran of World War II, serving three years in the U. S. Navy. His professional life was spent mostly at General Electric in Pittsfield, Massachusetts where he worked as a technical specialist in the Transformer Laboratories for 43 years. Charles was awarded a patent relating to electrical insulation by General Electric during his time there. During this same time period, he was an officer of the Oriental Band of the Melha Temple Shrine of Springfield, devoting himself to fundraising activities in support of Shriners Hospitals for Children.
Charles was the devoted and cherished husband of Dorothy M. Bliss, who predeceased him on July 24, 2006. Their marriage spanned a period of 60 years and was considered by Charles the greatest accomplishment of his life. Their initial years together were spent in the Berkshires, including 15 years of residence in Hancock, Massachusetts. During that time Charles served as chairman of the first planning board, which he helped organize. He also served for 7 years on the Board of Appeals and several years as town assessor. Both Charles and Dottie enjoyed golf and after their retirements from GE, relocated to St. Augustine, FL., where they spent many happy, fun-filled years together. In the years after Dottie’s death, Charles began making frequent visits back to the Berkshires and in 2018 returned there full time as a resident of Pittsfield.
Charles grew up in a family of five. He was predeceased by his two sisters, Norma Plumb, who passed early in life after suffering a heart attack in the middle of a snowstorm, and Anna Came who passed away in 2009. He is also predeceased by his brother in law, Roger V. Sala.
Charles is survived by many nieces and nephews and by his treasured companion of later years, Lena Robinson, of Pittsfield, who, along with her children and close collection of extended family brought tremendous love, joy, comfort and meaning to his life. He found in her and in them a second family and a renewed lease on life. Charles was someone who lived and loved well and who was tremendously well loved in return. May his light never fade from our hearts.
Charles will be interred in St. Augustine, Florida. Arrangements are being handled collaboratively by both Flynn & Dagnoli-Bencivenga Funeral Home in Pittsfield and Craig Funeral Home and Crematory Memorial Park in St. Augustine. Due to the pandemic, memorial services will be delayed for the time being.
Charles was born March 3, 1924 to Henry Otis Bliss and Josephine Cross Bliss in the Village of Berkshire, Town of Lanesborough, Massachusetts. Charles attended schools in Berkshire Village and Dalton, Massachusetts and later graduated from Pittsfield High School. He was a veteran of World War II, serving three years in the U. S. Navy. His professional life was spent mostly at General Electric in Pittsfield, Massachusetts where he worked as a technical specialist in the Transformer Laboratories for 43 years. Charles was awarded a patent relating to electrical insulation by General Electric during his time there. During this same time period, he was an officer of the Oriental Band of the Melha Temple Shrine of Springfield, devoting himself to fundraising activities in support of Shriners Hospitals for Children.
Charles was the devoted and cherished husband of Dorothy M. Bliss, who predeceased him on July 24, 2006. Their marriage spanned a period of 60 years and was considered by Charles the greatest accomplishment of his life. Their initial years together were spent in the Berkshires, including 15 years of residence in Hancock, Massachusetts. During that time Charles served as chairman of the first planning board, which he helped organize. He also served for 7 years on the Board of Appeals and several years as town assessor. Both Charles and Dottie enjoyed golf and after their retirements from GE, relocated to St. Augustine, FL., where they spent many happy, fun-filled years together. In the years after Dottie’s death, Charles began making frequent visits back to the Berkshires and in 2018 returned there full time as a resident of Pittsfield.
Charles grew up in a family of five. He was predeceased by his two sisters, Norma Plumb, who passed early in life after suffering a heart attack in the middle of a snowstorm, and Anna Came who passed away in 2009. He is also predeceased by his brother in law, Roger V. Sala.
Charles is survived by many nieces and nephews and by his treasured companion of later years, Lena Robinson, of Pittsfield, who, along with her children and close collection of extended family brought tremendous love, joy, comfort and meaning to his life. He found in her and in them a second family and a renewed lease on life. Charles was someone who lived and loved well and who was tremendously well loved in return. May his light never fade from our hearts.
Charles will be interred in St. Augustine, Florida. Arrangements are being handled collaboratively by both Flynn & Dagnoli-Bencivenga Funeral Home in Pittsfield and Craig Funeral Home and Crematory Memorial Park in St. Augustine. Due to the pandemic, memorial services will be delayed for the time being.