Charles Victor St. Lawrence

May 15, 1936 – June 16, 2025

Charles “Chuck” Victor St. Lawrence was born on May 15, 1936, in Lowell, Massachusetts, to Horace Victor and Doris May St. Lawrence. Shortly after his birth, the St. Lawrence family moved to Portsmouth, New Hampshire, where Chuck and his siblings—, Phyliss, Marion, Janet, Pamela, and Greg—were raised.

He graduated from Portsmouth High School in 1954 and promptly enlisted in the U.S. Navy, serving proudly as a submariner machinist aboard the USS Argonaut (SS 475) from 1954 to 1956.

The summer before his service, Chuck met Laurie Ann Harrison at Hampton Beach. They married in her hometown of Salem, Massachusetts on September 10, 1960.

After completing his military service, Chuck pursued higher education and earned his B.A. degree from the University of New Hampshire.

Chuck’s professional journey was inspired by a fateful conversation with then-presidential candidate John F. Kennedy in the early 1960s. Frustrated with the state of government, Chuck expressed his concerns to Kennedy, who responded, “How can our government get better if we don’t have good people going in to improve it?” Those words sparked a lifelong commitment to public service.

His career in the federal government took his young family to Pennsylvania—where their first child was born—then to Asheville, North Carolina, where they welcomed two more children. Ultimately, they settled in the Washington, D.C. area. Chuck held various roles across the Department of Agriculture, HUD, and the U.S. Census Bureau, where he concluded his distinguished career as a member of the Senior Executive Service (SES) in 1996. He retired to West Palm Beach, FL.

During his career years and in retirement, Chuck remained active in his community. He served two years as President of the Greater Severna Park Council, chaired the Anne Arundel County Housing Authority, and also contributed his leadership to the Palm Beach County Housing Authority and School Board.

Chuck is survived by his first wife Laurie and their three children: Kerry Ann, Renée Clara (Gary), and Eric Charles (Janet); eight grandchildren: Jennifer, Desirae, Dylan, Zachary (Juliet), Wesly, Douglas, Leah, and Dakota; and six great-grandchildren: Austin, Chase, Viviene, Charlie, Scotty, and Augustus. He is also survived by his brother Greg, brother-in-law Larry, and many nieces and nephews.

He was predeceased by his parents, sisters, his second wife Jane Wagman and his third wife Sheri Kass.

Known affectionately by his family as “Mr. Magoo,” Chuck was endlessly adventurous, even if his escapades occasionally led to mishaps. Whether rollerblading, sailing, biking, or RVing, he threw himself into life with gusto. One legendary tale recalls Chuck towing his O’Day sailboat behind a Volkswagen across Route 2 in Severna Park only to watch the boat pass him in the middle of the intersection when the trailer hitch came undone. Fortunately, no injuries, just one memorable traffic jam and a story retold for years.

Chuck was a devoted father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. His love, humor, and spirited approach to life will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him. He is now and as always “Damn near perfect” and would want us all to “Take good care”!

Chuck’s family will have a private memorial service in Maryland, and a celebration of life with extended family in Portsmouth, NH.