Capt. Charles Ero Masalin
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Retired USN Capt. Charles Ero Masalin, 87, of Bluffton, SC, was called home by God into His presence on May 31, 2021. As was fitting for a man of lengthy service to country and devotion to friend and family, he was called on Memorial Day.
He was fearless. Fearless to love his wife, his children and his friends with open and observable enthusiasm. He was a man of great accomplishment by the world's standards; however, his satisfaction did not require the world's acknowledgement. It was his belief in Christ and submission to His authority that lit his path and guided his purpose.
Charles was born in Camden, Maine on July 17, 1933, the firstborn of the late Ero and Olive (Leadbetter) Masalin. "Chuck", the most devoted and loving husband, father and grandfather, is survived by his wife, Cynthia (Kolstad); daughter Kari Cameron (Clifford, Jr.); sons, Steve (Liz), Pete (Katie) and Jeff; nine grandchildren; an ever increasing number of great-grandchildren; sister Susan Pendleton (Sam); brother Gary Masalin.
It was his childhood in Camden, where the mountains meet the sea and the inland farmlands that molded Chuck's future. As a young boy, he relished his time on the farm with his grandfather and Masalin patriarch, Ossian. When Chuck was old enough, he aided his father in the cold indigo waters of Penobscot Bay aboard his dad's lobster boat.
Chuck was appointed to the United States Naval Academy and upon graduation from Camden High School, he travelled to Annapolis Maryland and enrolled as a plebe midshipman. This led to a storied career as a Naval Officer offering much adventure for him, Cynthia and his four children. In addition to his graduation from the U.S. Naval Academy, he received other degrees from MIT, Harvard Business School and Sloan School.
Upon his retirement from the US Navy, Chuck purchased and returned to the farm that was Ossian's homestead. Sunrise Tree Farm was the name he chose, producing diverse offerings of farmed goods; cattle, blueberries, hay and the headline crop of Christmas Trees. He loved farming and remained active through his 87th year of life.
Memorial Services will be held on June 7, 2021, 2:00 PM at First Baptist Church Hilton Head Island, 100 South Forest Beach Drive, Hilton Head Island, SC with burial the following day, June 8, 2021, 11:00 AM at the Beaufort National Cemetery with Military honors.
In lieu of flowers, the family has requested donations be made out to The Wounded Warrior Project or St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.
Anderson Funeral Home is serving the family.