SAFETY HARBOR, Fla. – Charles Frederick Schibener Jr., 83, passed away Dec. 14, 2007, from emphysema in Safety Harbor, Fla., although he stopped smoking at the age of 52.

He was born July 26, 1924, in Philadelphia, Pa. He later lived in Boston, to be close to his family’s summer home of 85 years in Norway. He was a World War II combat survivor who served in Northern Germany and Holland and remained a life long member of the Ozarks 102nd Infantry Division. He was a graduate of Friends Central School of Philadelphia and Princeton University. Professionally, he designed and marketed computer forms in the Boston financial district until retirement.

Charlie was a champion golfer at the Paris Hill Country Club and Norway Country Club in Maine. At the age of 13, he swam the 5 mile length of Lake Pennesseewassee, Norway, where he summered from birth to death. He also coached blind golfers and was treasurer of the Blind Golfers Association in Philadelphia for almost a decade.

He will be remembered by family and friends as a great father, partner and friend, passionate about his convictions, of great humor, hard working, and in love with his home in Maine, and his dear lady, Jane.

He is survived by his life partner of 25 years, Jane M. Galvin; his daughter, Lynne Schibener Pierce and her husband, Paul; grandchildren, Erik Mikal Pierce and Laura Elizabeth Pierce; great-grandson, Noah Aaden Calderon-Pierce, born Feb. 23, of San Diego; and Kristen Marie and Wendy Sue of Rockaway, N.J.

He was predeceased by his only son, Charles F. Schibener III, May 24, 2007; and great-grandson, Charles F. Schibener IV, who died of SIDS in 1990.

The Florida and Maine hospice were a blessing in the care of Charlie in his last year and the Norway Country Club was a source of joy for his entire life and continues to be so for Jane, the lady of his life. The family will continue enjoying the lake camp for generations.

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