Charles H. Pancoast, 83, passed away at his home in Trumbull on Saturday, July 5, 2014.  His children, grandchildren and great-grandson were the joys of his life and he will be deeply missed by all.
Born in Woodbury, NJ on June 18, 1931, he was a child of the depression but was determined to better himself. After high school he enrolled at Rutgers University under the Air Force ROTC, and played his fiddle for square dances on weekends. He was commissioned as a Lieutenant one day after the Korean War armistice. After serving in France, he returned to settle in New Jersey, and worked as a mechanical engineer for Mobil Oil.  Another position with Mobil took his family to the Pittsburgh, PA area, but shortly thereafter he joined an automotive diagnostic equipment manufacturer in Bridgeport. Subsequently, he went into partnership in his own service station business and ultimately ran three Shell service stations in Fairfield County.  In 1986, he founded Exact Printing in Stratford with two sons and worked with them for 24 years, retiring to care for his wife, Dorothy.
Charlie was a long-time member of Long Hill United Methodist Church, serving in many capacities – none more important than starting the coffee pot, often with his grandson, Tom. He also worshipped at Monroe Methodist Church from time to time. Above all, he was a man of integrity and garnered respect and friendship in every facet of his life.  He took parenting very seriously and passed those values forward another two generations.
He was predeceased by his wife Dorothy, whom he adored from the age of seven and subsequently through 58 years of marriage. He was a devoted caregiver in the final years of Dorothy’s life through some extremely difficult times, without complaint.
He is survived by his son, Richard and his wife Kathy, daughter, Patti Early and her husband Kevin, son, Bruce and his wife Paula and his youngest son, Scott and his wife, Debi.  Pop-pop was admired and loved by his grandchildren, Ryan Pancoast and his wife Shelly, Sara, Jody and Kenny Pancoast as well as Katie and Tom Early and Tom’s wife, Amanda. He was just getting to know his only great-grandchild, Noah.
The family will receive visitors at Redgate-Hennessy Funeral Home, Main Street and Gorham Place, Trumbull on Thursday, July 10 from 4 to 8p.m., and a memorial service will be held on Friday, July 11 at 10:30 a.m. at Long Hill United Methodist Church, 6358 Main Street, Trumbull. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to either Long Hill United Methodist Church in Trumbull or to Connecticut Hospice. To send online condolences, please visit www.redgatehennessy.com