PITTSFIELD – Charles Clayton Brownell, 88, passed away Monday, August 2, 2010 at Chenango Memorial Hospital after a long illness.
Charles was born on March 4, 1922, the son of Charles and Edith (Petersen) Brownell. He was a graduate of New Berlin Central High School where he was the star quarterback. Following high school, he worked for Kraft Foods of South Edmeston. Charles entered the U.S. Air Force serving in the 8th Air Force, Army Air Corps as a Staff Sergeant on Sept. 28, 1942. He served at Fort Niagara, NY, St. Petersburg, Fla. and Tyndall Field, Fla. as well as Lowery Field, Co. where he graduated from armament school. He was a tail gunner on a B17 Bomber for 31 missions, serving in the European Theater based in England during World War II. His plane was shot over Germany but made it back far enough to enable the crew to parachute into the English Channel. He served from 1942-1945 receiving the Distinguished Flying Cross, Air Medal with 3 Oak Leaf Clusters, Purple Heart, Presidential Unit Citation, World War II Medal and the Good Conduct Medal. He was later employed by O & W Hubble Construction and retired in 1985.
Charles is survived by his loving wife of 33 years, Patricia; daughters, Linda Sherman and Betty Taranto and son-in-law Mike Taranto of New Berlin; step-daughters, Dawn White of Endicott, Danita and son-in-law David Washburne of Troy, Ala. and Darcy White of Saratoga Springs. He is also survived by four grandchildren, Christine King of New Berlin, Sara Taranto of Boston, Mass., Delecia White of Whitesboro and Andrea Douglas of Saratoga Springs, as well as great-grandchildren, Michael Clayton Gordon and Ryan King of New Berlin. He was predeceased by his first wife, Billie Ratliff, whom he married in 1945. He was also predeceased by his brothers, Merle, Forrest, Norman and Reynolds as well as his sister Roselie.
A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday at the Dakin Funeral Home LP, New Berlin, with The Very Reverend Charles Taylor officiating. The burial will be held in the Fairview Cemetery.
Charles was an avid hunter and Yankee fan and will be remembered for being a quiet and loving Husband, Dad and Poppy. He will live in the hearts of those he leaves behind. “Our love for you starts at forever and ends at never.”
Special thanks to the staff on the 3rd floor at Chenango Memorial and especially to Dr. Cook for his outstanding compassionate care of our loved one.
Memorial donations may be made to the Sherburne Wheelers ATV Club, PO Box 1133, Sherburne NY 13460.