LEWISTON – Charles Frances Knauer, “Charlie”, 86, died peacefully on Sept. 2, 2023, at Marshwood Center in Lewiston.

He was born in Rumford, on March 30, 1937, the son of Frank and Margaret Bushley Knauer. He graduated from Mexico High School and attended the University of Maine at Farmington where he graduated in 1961. It was there he met the love of his life, Mary White. They wed at the Hotel Harris in Rumford on Aug. 13, 1961. He often reminisces how he danced with his 9-year-old baby sister (Barbie) that day as she stood on his shoes looking up at him with a big smile.

In 1962 Charlie and Mary welcomed their first son, Kevin, followed by Kenneth in 1965. Of all his accomplishments, Charlie was proudest of his two sons and the men they have become. Kenneth blessed him with two beautiful granddaughters, Morgan and Kate. Charlie would rave about his two granddaughters every chance he got. He loved to boast about their different personalities and how bright they were.

Charlie began his teaching career at Tapley School in Oakland. His youngest sister, Barbara, began her teaching career 13 years later in the very same classroom. Following Oakland, he taught in Medway, Waterville, and then was principal in Litchfield. His teaching “home” became Leavitt High School in Turner. He retired from Leavitt, but never retired from teaching. He became an Adjust Faculty Member at Central Maine Community College where he taught Earth Science and Math. In 2017, at the age of 80, he was still teaching, and was honored at the College’s Annual Dinner as the Outstanding Adjunct Faculty Member of the Year.

His commitment to helping children and young adults continued through his work with the Kora Shriners of Lewiston, whose primary philanthropy is raising money for Shriner’s Hospitals for Children.

His favorite pastime was visiting Marden’s as well as visiting with his neighbors on Pond Road. He felt he had the best neighbors anyone could ask for.

Surviving is his wife, Mary, of Lewiston; two sons, Kevin of Haverhill, Mass., and Kenneth of Portland; one sister, Barbara and husband, Ric of Madison; two granddaughters; and five nieces and nephews.

He was predeceased by two sisters, Peggyanne Blankenship of Durham, N.H. and Catherine Horne of Santa Claus, Ind., and one brother, N. Thomas Knauer of Mexico.

Burial will be at the Morton-Farrington Cemetery in Mexico. Service 10 a.m., at Pinette Dillingham and Lynch, Lewiston, Saturday, Nov. 18, followed by calling hours, 10:30 to 11:30 a.m.

Donations can be made to Leavitt Area High School,

Turner, Maine.

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