Charles Wilkinson Jr.

He was born on March 6, 1930 in Bridgeport, Connecticut, the son of Charles Wilkinson, Sr, and Irene Burns Wilkinson.

Mr. Wilkinson graduated from Bassick High in Bridgeport in 1948 and subsequently joined the US Navy. He served as a submariner from 1948 to 1953 aboard boats in both the Atlantic and Pacific.

Following his submarine service, he earned an Engineering degree from the University of Bridgeport. Later in life, he also earned his Master’s in Business Administration from the University of New Haven.

Chuck worked as an engineer and manager at General Dynamics, Electric Boat from 1956 to 1992. During his tenure at EB, he helped write the Submarine Safety (Sub Safe) manual and was involved in certifying over 100 submarines. Upon his retirement, he was recognized by Naval Systems Command for his decades of dedication to the US Navy Submarine program and his extensive contributions to the submarine safety (Sub Safe) certification process. His passion for submarines and his affiliation with Electric Boat led him to become a member of the Electric Boat Management Club and the US Submarine Veterans Holland Club, which recognizes veterans qualified for submarines for fifty or more years.

During the time that his four sons were in the Waterford School system, he served as an officer in Boy Scouts, Waterford Little League North and Waterford Babe Ruth. He also founded the Waterford boys’ basketball league at Quaker Hill school – still in operation to this day - and served as one of the league’s first presidents.

Chuck was also very active in the town’s civic and political life, serving on the Waterford Board of Education, the Board of Finance and as chairman of the Waterford Ethics Commission. He was also co-chair of the Holland Commission and helped lead the Town’s effort to purchase what was to become Waterford Beach Park.

He was also a member of the Knights of Columbus.

In 1953, he married the love of his life, Doris Ann Dechamps, also of Bridgeport. The two were married for 62 years before Doris’s death in June of 2016.

Chuck is survived by his four sons and their families: Michael Wilkinson and his wife, Joni Wilkinson of Waterford; Kevin Wilkinson of Palm Beach Gardens, Florida; Keith Wilkinson and his wife Monica Wilkinson, of Grosse Point City, Michigan; and Gregory Wilkinson of Gales Ferry, Connecticut. He also leaves behind eight grandchildren and fifteen great grandchildren.

He is also survived by his friend and loving companion, Shirley Evans of Waterford, whose company he treasured in the years following the death of his wife.

An interment ceremony will be held at St. Mary’s cemetery in New London on Friday, March 27th, at 12:00 PM.

In lieu of flowers, please thank a submariner for their service and/or consider a contribution to the charity of your choice.