LEWISTON — Charles A. Jillson, 72, a resident of Sabattus, went home to be with Jesus on Sunday, April 1, at CMMC in Lewiston, surrounded by his loving family.

He was born June 25, 1945, in Lewiston, the son of Edward B. Jillson and Kathleen M. (Savage) Jillson. Charles graduated from Sabattus High School, Class of 1963, and then attended Gorham State Teachers College, graduating in 1967.

On June 22, 1968, he married the love of his life and best friend, Diana Chapman, from Falmouth. Charles became a teacher and had the opportunity to touch countless lives, and he did just that. He first taught at the Lisbon Sugg School before he began teaching in his hometown at Sabattus Junior High, where he was the math teacher everyone loved to have. He was a champion of the underdog and believed the most important part of teaching was connecting with each of his students. Even after he retired from teaching 27 years later, he was often stopped at various places by former students, and regardless of their age, he knew them by name and could recall a story from their days in school with him.

After retiring from teaching he worked at Waterman Farm Machinery and then worked for Crandall-Hicks as a sales representative. He enjoyed meeting new people, doing demos of the equipment and traveling the states of Maine and New Hampshire. He retired in 2015 due to illness.

More than anything, Charles loved his family. He was happiest when he had his whole family around him, whether it was a Memorial Day barbecue on his back lawn or eating pizza on Sunday night. He loved watching his children and grandchildren play sports and hardly ever missed the opportunity to cheer them on from the side. He was proud of all of his family and would often say how blessed he was by the special relationship he had with each one. He was a longtime member of the Community Baptist Church of Sabattus, and later years was a member and greeter at the East Auburn Baptist Church.

He is survived by his wife of 49 years, Diana, of Sabattus; a son, Michael Jillson, and his wife, Susan, of Wales; two daughters, Lauri Baldacci and her husband, Joshua, of Bangor, Melissa Fortin and her husband, Michael, of Monmouth; seven grandchildren, Joshua, Nathan, Taylor, Maddie, Adam, Mathew, Isaac; three great-grandchildren, Owen, Lexi, Ellie; and two brothers, Edward Jillson and his wife, Patricia, of Sabattus, Richard Jillson and his wife, Brenda, of Sabattus; and many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his parents.

Messages of condolence may be made to: www.finleyfuneralhome.com.

Charles A. Jillson