Obituary:
Charles E. Langille, 86
Retired North Animal Control Officer and Crossing Guard
Charles E. Langille, 86, of Mirimichi Road, Foxboro, died on Thursday, July 30, 2009 as a result of injuries sustained in an automobile accident on Diamond Hill Road, Cumberland, Rhode Island. The accident also claimed the life of his wife, Laurette M. Laurie (Dargis) Nadow Langille, to whom he was married in April 1987 at the First Congregational Church in North Attleboro. He was the former husband of the late Grace Viola (Reynolds) Langille
who died on October 17, 2006.
Born in Cambridge, Massachusetts on December 23, 1922, he was a son of the late Seymour G. and Rita (Higgins) Langille. In his early years, the Langille family moved to North Attleboro where Mr. Langille attended North Attleboro High School until transferring to Bristol Agricultural School. He resided in Foxboro for the past twenty years after having lived in North Attleboro for most of his life.
Along the way, Charlie worked at Sayles Dairy Farm in North Attleboro beginning in the sixth grade. He would start work at 2:00 in the morning delivering milk until he completed his duties at 7:00 AM when he would return home, clean up and proceed to school for the day. Following school, he would return to work and milk the cows into the early evening.
He left the farm in 1943 when he enlisted in the United States Army where he became a member of the "elite" 82nd Airborne as a paratrooper and medic. After receiving his initial training, Mr. Langille was promptly sent overseas where he received further training in England, Scotland and Wales.
In June of 1944, during the World War II era, he was in the area of Normandy Beach during the invasion.
He was quick to say, quite humbly, that he was one of the fortunate few that made it through the war "unscathed".
He reenlisted for a second tour of duty until it proved to be a hardship on his family. He left the Army in 1948 and returned to North Attleboro where he resumed his career in husbandry with the Evans family who owned and operated Sayles Dairy Farm.
He remained on the farm until 1957 when he left to seek employment at the former Beauchaine Lumber Yard where he worked until 1979.
In 1979, Mr. Langille became the Town of North Attleboro Animal Control Officer. He retired in 1983, then returned later that year to serve as interim dog officer and stayed until 1984 when he retired once again. Langille was appointed to the post for a third and final time in 1986 and retired as the town's animal inspector and kennel keeper in June 1991.
As a member of the Independent Sportsmen Club in Foxboro since January 1, 1959, Mr. Langille worked for many years as a caretaker at the club. The job ideally suited his compassion for animals, fishing, sports and his true love, "working".
Mr. Langille was the recipient of the North Attleboro Veterans
Council's Second Annual Frederick Holmes Award in
1998 for recognition of his "sincere compassion,
dedication and outstanding contributions to the
betterment of the community".
For many years Langille continued to serve the North Attleboro
community as a school crossing guard at the downtown
intersection of Richards Avenue and North and South
Washington Streets. Many, many stories could be told
of his loyalty, compassion and endless capacity of
giving to his fellow man, be it his family, his job,
his town or to perfect strangers in need. One only
need ask for help and if Charlie could not do it he
would find a way to get the job completed.
However, one of his proudest endeavors which he did in "Charlie's
way", without any fanfare, acknowledgement or |
recognition was his devotion to
entertaining disabled American veterans at the
Brockton Veteran's Administration Medical Center at
least once a month, consistently for the last 19
years . He was a very giving, generous person
laden with energy and willing to share it with all
who were in need, particularly veterans.
He leaves three children: Joan A. Smith and her husband, John D.
Smith, of New Braunfels, Texas; Candace J. "Candy"
Pickett and her husband, Robert G. Pickett, of Buena
Vista, Virginia and Donald D. "Butch" Langille and
his wife, Janice (Suvall) Langille, of North
Attleboro; four grandchildren: Christine D. Moncure
of Lexington, Virginia; Richard J. Langille of
Alexandria, Virginia; Melissa J. Badger of North
Attleboro and Amy Newhall, of Rockridge County,
Virginia; seven great grandchildren: Hollie Badger,
Jordan Badger, Nathan Badger and Jennifer Badger all
of North Attleboro and Grace Bailey, Julia Newhall
and Charles R. Langille all in Virginia; three
brothers: Gordon Langille of Marstons Mills; Richard
Langille of North Attleboro and James Langille of
Chambersburg, Maryland; a sister: Mary Brooks of
South Yarmouth; members of his wife's family and
numerous nieces, nephews, extended family members
and dear friends.
He was the father of the late Charles E. Langille who died in June
of 1975. He was the grandfather of the late Leslie
L. Langille who died on November 19, 1992 and was
the great grandfather of the late Jakob Van Leuvan
who died on February 20, 2007.
He was predeceased by his sister, Sandra Lightfoot, and his
brother, Robert Langille.
Family and friends are cordially invited to attend visitation for
both Mr. and Mrs. Langille on Thursday, August 6,
2009 from 2:00 – 4:00 and 7:00 – 9:00 PM in the
"Memorial Chapel" of the Dyer-Lake Funeral Home –
the national historic Colonel Obed Robinson Home,
161 Commonwealth Avenue (exit 5 off Route 95 N or S,
go right, ¾ mile on the left), Village of Attleboro
Falls, North Attleboro. Visitation with Veteran's
Honors will honor Mr. Langille's service to our
country.
Those in need of a ride to visitation may simply call the funeral home at (508) 695-0200 to make an advance reservation for such gratis transportation.
Relatives and friends are invited to attend the funeral service remembering both Mr. and Mrs. Langille on Friday, August 7, 2009 at 10:00 AM in the "Memorial Chapel" of the Dyer-Lake Funeral Home – the national historic Colonel Obed Robinson Home, 161 Commonwealth Avenue (exit 5 off Route 95 N or S, go right, ¾ mile on the left), Village of Attleboro Falls, North Attleboro with the Rev. Katrina Clinton, Pastor of the First Congregational Church, North Attleboro, officiating.
Graveside committal services for both Mr. and Mrs. Langille will immediately follow funeral services.
Mrs. Langille will be laid to rest at St. Mary's Cemetery, Towne Street, North Attleboro followed by a graveside service for Mr. Langille with full military honors at Mount Hope Cemetery and Arboretum, Mount Hope Street, North Attleboro.
Following both cemetery services an invitation will be extended to join the family for a time of continued fellowship and refreshment at the North Attleboro Elks Lodge, Bulfinch Street, North Attleboro.
Please do not send flowers. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in Mr. and Mrs. Langille's name and memory may be made to either the North Attleboro Animal Shelter, c/o North Attleboro Town Hall, 43 South Washington Street, North Attleboro, MA 02760 or to the VA Medical Center – Brockton, Attention: Voluntary Service (135), 940 Belmont Street, Brockton, MA 02301.
For additional information or to send the family an expression of sympathy, please visit an online register book at
www.dyer-lakefuneralhome.com.
Arrangements under the direction of the Dyer-Lake Funeral Home, 161 Commonwealth Avenue, Village of Attleboro Falls, North Attleboro. (508) 695-0200. |
