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Charles M. “Chuck” Sakmar, 83, of Ivoryton decided on Feb. 11 that it was time to join his wife, Pauline, and daughter, Brenda Lee, in heaven. He leaves behind his loving and dedicated daughter, Tammy Mesite, and her husband, Don Mesite, who was also Chuck’s friend, golf partner, and softball teammate. Chuck was extremely proud of his grandsons, Matt (and wife, Allie) and Tim (and fiancée, Megan), and he loved hearing about and seeing his great-grandchildren, Charlotte (Charlie), Nina Pauline, and Nolan Donald.

Chuck would tell everyone that he came to Connecticut from Cleveland, Ohio for the Navy and never left. He served his community for many years as a volunteer fireman, a number of those years as deputy chief. He was a longtime lineman for Connecticut Light & Power, and he loved reminding people that he was one of the first guys to get a bucket truck after years of “climbing those poles.”

His daughter wishes to thank her many friends for their support, especially Terri Savino, who always made time to visit “Grampy Chuck” during his stays in the hospital. She also wishes to thank his wonderful caregiver, Robyn Alper, as well as the staff at Chesterfields, who will undoubtedly miss Chuck’s mischievous spirit and occasionally inappropriate sense of humor.

Besides his family, who will miss him very much, Chuck also leaves behind his forever friends, Gary and Lynn Weymer, who always stayed in touch with “Chuckie.”

Funeral services will be privately held. Memorial contributions may be made in Chuck’s memory to Friends of The Forest Incorporated, 13 Pratt Street, Essex, CT 06426 or to the Terry Brodeur Breast Cancer Foundation, 187 Williams Street, New London, CT 06320. Arrangements are in the care of the Robinson, Wright & Weymer Funeral Home in Centerbrook.