Charles Edward Bartlett Jr.

Charles Edward Bartlett Jr., age 90 of Leominster, formerly of Stow, passed away peacefully on Sunday, April 12, 2026. He was the loving husband of the late Beverly Ann (Ferris) Bartlett.

Charles was born in Lexington, Massachusetts on May 5, 1935, son of the late Charles Edward Bartlett Sr. and Sonia (Svenson) Bartlett. He was raised and educated in Acton, graduating from Acton High School, in the class of 1954. Upon graduation, Charles enlisted in the United States Navy and proudly served his country. Charles and Beverly married on September 6, 1956.

Charles started his career at Harvard University working in building maintenance. Next, he worked as an HVAC contractor, then painting estimator. In 1982, he founded CEBCO Painting in Waltham. Later, he owned Multicolor Painting in Maynard. He ran his own businesses for more than 20 years.

Charles had a passion for fishing. He enjoyed salt and freshwater fishing for bass, trout and salmon. He shared his love of fishing with anyone who was interested, taking family, friends, and business associates out for a day on the water. His favorite fishing spot was the lakes in and around Great Pond, Maine. He would fish from pre-dawn to sunset in all weather. In his older years he would catch and release, but when he had a young family, he would freeze his catch lasting several months.

In his younger years he played softball and coached youth hockey at Nashoba Valley Olympia Rink in Boxborough. Later, he managed the men’s hockey league. Charles enjoyed cooking, especially recipes by Jaques Pepin. His often-made recipes include corn, cod, and potato chowder, braised short ribs in red wine sauce, and popovers. Charles was an avid organic gardener. His garden had everything from asparagus to zucchini. He would freeze much of his harvest for fresh vegetables in the winter.

Charles and Beverly enjoyed traveling together. Charles’ love of traveling started as a teenager when he went to England and France with a family friend. He continued his travels in the Navy sailing mostly in the Caribbean, Africa, and the Middle East. Later, he and Beverly visited his daughter when she lived in Japan, England, and Atlanta, Georgia. He looked forward to visiting his sister in Florida, particularly to fish on Stick Marsh.

Charles is survived by his daughter, Sharon Bartlett Hooper and husband Randy Jay Hooper of Leominster, MA; his son, Warren Bradford Bartlett and wife Margie Gover Bartlett of Clinton, MA; his grandchildren, Sarah Bartlett and Steven Saari; and his sister, Karen Emily Stanford, of Elkmont, Alabama. Charles was predeceased by his son Charles Edward Bartlett, III and his siblings, John Svenson Bartlett, June Sonia Cole, and Barbara Ann Gates.

Family and friends will gather for Charles' life celebration on Saturday, May 2, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. in the West Concord Union Church, 1317 Main St., Concord, Massachusetts.

In lieu of flowers, gifts in his memory can be made to Rathbun House at wncbridge.org or the American Heart Association at heart.org