Charles Osborne Pickens
Charles (Chuck) Osborne Pickens of Farmington, CT passed peacefully at home on July 30, 2022 with his devoted wife, Jean and beloved son, Eric by his side. Chuck was born on August 5, 1944 to Calvin Herbert Pickens and Doratha (Osborne) Pickens in Meadville, PA. He grew up in the small town of Saegertown surrounded by relatives and friends, where he went out to play in the morning, returning home for lunch and supper, walked to church and school, played sports and occasionally got into trouble! When his father passed in 1957, Chuck’s family moved to Meadville for his high school years. Chuck was an outstanding athlete, bedazzling fans with his behind the back passes on the basketball court and as a pitcher on the baseball mound. He began dating his wife-to-be, Rella Jean (Hart) in the eleventh grade and they were married in 1962. The pride of their lives were their two children, Eric Lee and Carrie Lynn and grandchildren, Ivy Mae, Bridget Michelle and Mead Landry Pickens.
Chuck graduated from American International College in Springfield, MA with a business degree and pursued a career in information technology (IT). In 1974, he went to work for the Stanley Tools Division in New Britain, CT. Chuck had an instinctive appreciation for what the newly developing computer system could do for manufacturing. He and his team created a state-of-the-art order/entry and billing system. Their electronic data interchange (EDI) revolutionized the way customers could order their products. The Hand Tools Industry Assoc. applied this model nationally. Chuck went on to serve as VP of IT at Loctite in Newington, CT. Eventually, he formed his own consulting business in long-term IT and planning. It was during this period that he worked at the Mohegan Sun Casino on a Y2K project to convert their technology for the year 2000. At that time, he convinced the casino to let him open The Golf Shop. He enjoyed managing the store until the financial crisis of 2008. Chuck served the town of Farmington as a Justice of the Peace, a Municipal Hearing Officer and an Assistant Registrar of Voters. He was a member of Memorial United Methodist Church, Avon, CT.
Chuck was a scratch golfer maintaining friendships from his hometown and making friends at many golf courses including Tunxis Plantation and The Country Club of Farmington where he was a member for 35 years. Chuck loved to cook and on many a golf trip with friends, he would prepare the evening meal, cleanup the kitchen and be ready to play cards. He was the total package! Chuck enjoyed salt-water fishing and trips to fly fish on the Miramichi River in New Brunswick. He always found a spot to plant a vegetable garden and invited friends to share in the bounty at harvest time. For many years, he raised honeybees and chickens. He enjoyed using his brain to solve technical problems, play bridge and poker, board games, crossword puzzles, read murder mysteries and tackle many projects around the house. He designed and patented the “Mail Box Shield”. So it seems ironic that he would be diagnosed with a brain tumor in November of 2021. This was the ultimate challenge for Chuck, to relearn how to use the TV remote and find ways to keep himself engaged in life.
Most importantly, Chuck was a man of great integrity and honesty. He will be dearly missed by his wife, son, grandchildren, and many relatives and friends. Chuck was predeceased by his beloved daughter, Carrie Lynn and his brothers, John and Stephen Pickens, as well as sisters-in-law, Ann and Joye Pickens. He is survived by his brother David Pickens and sister-in-law Jane Pickens, both of Meadville, PA. Jean and Eric sincerely thank all the UConn medical staff and the Farmington Valley VNA hospice team who showed Chuck the greatest compassion and excellent care during his illness. We also thank family and friends who supported us with their thoughts, prayers and expressions of love.
A memorial service will be held on Sunday, September 18 at 3 pm at Memorial United Methodist Church, Avon, CT with a Celebration of Life reception at 4 pm at Tunxis Plantation Golf Course Pavilion, Farmington, CT. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Farmington Valley VNA, 8 Old Mill Lane, Simsbury, CT 06070 or Services for the Elderly, 321 New Britain Avenue, Unionville, CT 06085. Arrangements are being handled by The Ahern Funeral Homes, Inc., www.ahernfuneralhome.com.
Published on August 5, 2022
Credit: Source link
