Constantine “Charles” Anastas Kiritsy

    Kiritsy, Constantine A., 89, June 27, 2011.  Arrangements by Fletcher-Hebert Funeral Home, Winchendon, Mass.  Interment held in the Pine Grove Cemetery, Fitzwilliam, NH.
    FITZWILLIAM, NH – Constantine “Charles” Anastas Kiritsy, 89, of Fitzwilliam, died peacefully at home Monday, June 27, 2011 after a courageous battle with ALS (Lou Gehrig’s Disease.)  He passed while surrounded by the love of his family. His beloved wife of 54 years, Virginia, died in 2003.
    Charles was born in Concord, New Hampshire on April 26, 1922, son of the late Anastas and Margaret (Anastas) Kiritsy.  He resided in Concord and attended Concord Public Schools, graduating in 1939.
    After high school, he was employed by McGrath’s Bakery of Concord, NH, the Concord, New Hampshire Post Office, Bullard Machine Tool Co. in Bridgeport, CT and Wonder Bread of New Haven, CT. He enlisted in the United States Army Air Force on December 15, 1942 and attended Colby College Aviation School. He was a member of the 456 Bomb group, 747 Squadron in Stornara, Italy during World War II. He was a B-24 nose gunner and flew eleven combat missions.
    Following his honorable discharge in 1945, he relocated to Connecticut and worked at Bullard Machine Tool Co. for thirty-one years. In 1972, he happily returned to his New Hampshire roots where he purchased State Line Grocery Store in Fitzwilliam, New Hampshire. He and his wife operated it until their retirement in 1989. He also was a co-owner of Stephen’s Diner in Concord, New Hampshire.
    Charles was a member of the Charity Lodge of Masons, #18, in Jaffrey, New Hampshire and was a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Post 10289 of Fitzwilliam, New Hampshire and the Fitzwilliam Community Church.
    Charles was an avid snowmobile enthusiast, with many friends at the Big Valley Snowmobile Club in Island Falls, Maine where he also enjoyed great times with family and friends at his camp on Mattawamkeg Lake. He enjoyed many sports, in particular, the Boston Red Sox,  UCONN Huskie Girls Basketball Team and Nascar races. He also enjoyed watching and feeding his birds along with reading many newspapers.
    He will be sadly missed by his children, Charles “Chuck” Brian Kiritsy and his wife, Anna, Terry Kiritsy Gustafson and her husband, Keith, and Sandra Kiritsy and her companion, Harry Damon, all of Fitzwilliam; six grandchildren, William Charles Stevens, Christopher Enoch Stevens, Kevin Charles Kiritsy, Gregory Michael Gilbert and Lauren Margaret Gilbert, all of Fitzwilliam and Brian Michael Kiritsy and his wife, Rebecca, and step-son Bradley, all of Arizona; his great-grandson, Gabriel Enoch Stevens; one brother, Perry A. Kiritsy and his wife, Stella, of Keene, New Hampshire; one sister, Soultana (Suzie) Kiritsy Toli and her husband, Peter, of Westwood, Massachusetts and several nieces, nephews and cousins. Besides his wife and parents, Charles was predeceased by his daughter, Pauline (Kiritsy) Stevens and his step-mother, Victoria (Charcalis) Kiritsy.
    Family and friends honored and celebrated Charles’ life by gathering for visiting hours in the Fletcher-Hebert Funeral Home, 70 Pleasant St., Winchendon, Massachusetts from 5 p.m. until 8 p.m. on Wednesday, June 29, 2011. His funeral with military honors was held Thursday, June 30, 2011 at 11 a.m. in the Fitzwilliam Community Church, Rt. 119, Fitzwilliam. Burial followed in Pine Grove Cemetery, Fitzwilliam. Those who wish to remember Charles by making a memorial contribution in his memory are kindly asked to consider the Fitzwilliam Community Church, c/o Jane Wright, P.O. Box 510, Fitzwilliam, NH 03447 or Hospice Home Health Care, PO Box 564, 312 Marlboro St., Keene, NH 03431. To view the online video tribute, or to share a condolence with the Kiritsy family, please visit us online at www.fletchercares.com. Arrangements have been entrusted to the care of Fletcher-Hebert Funeral Home, Winchendon, Massachusetts.