Charles Senteio, 82 of Osterville, MA and Manchester, CT passed away on Thursday morning November 12, 2020. Charlie was born on April 19, 1938 in Hyannis the youngest of 5 children to the late Gregory and Frances (Gomes) Senteio of Hyannis. Charlie attended Hyannis Elementary School (1943-52) and graduated from Barnstable High School in 1956. He received a BA from Willimantic State College (now Eastern CT State University) in 1964 and a MA from the University of Connecticut in 1967. He worked his way through college employed by HP Hood and Sons and Thompson Construction Company. Charlie married Rhoda (Miller) on June 27, 1964. They lived in Enfield, CT before moving to Manchester in 1970. In 1985 they bought a home on Cape Cod in Osterville, MA. Charlie served in the U.S. Marine Corps reserve in 1955 and the U.S. Air Force from 1956-60.

Charlie worked as an educator for his entire 40 year career. He was passionate about making a difference in the lives of young people and all those around him. In 1964 he began his education career as a teacher at Barnard-Brown School in Hartford. He retired as Deputy Superintendent in 1994. He was principal of C.A. Barbour School (1968-70), then Waverly Elementary School (1970), and Assistant Superintendent (1972-78) of Hartford Public Schools. From 1978-81 he left Hartford to be principal of Keeney Street School in Manchester. In 1981 he returned to Hartford as Deputy Superintendent of Hartford Public Schools until he retired in 1994. He received many awards and recognition over his career. He was listed among Who’s Who Among American Colleges and Universities, was Chairman of Civil Rights Commission, member of the Student welfare and Activities Commission, and the CT Intercollegiate Student Legislature and Commission.

Charlie was elected President of his Sophomore Class and was elected President of the Student Senate for his Junior and Senior years at Willimantic State College. In the summer of 1971, he traveled to Tokyo to attend the Japanese-American Educational Leadership Exchange Program. His lifelong passion for education and support for under-resourced communities included serving as Chairman of the Board – Urban League of Greater Hartford, Regional Advisor for the Counsel of Greater Hartford Community College and affiliation with the American Association for School Administrators and the Citizen’s Advisory Committee for the Manchester Board of Education.

Charlie deeply touched those he met, whether they met him briefly or knew him for a lifetime. His humor, kindness, consistency and infectious personality was palpable, at work, on his boat, or creating furniture and other useful items in his woodworking workshop. Charlie was passionate about treating everyone equally, unconcerned with one’s vocation, age, or position in life. In his later years, he loved being on his boat and being around people. Charlie never went fishing, he went to catch fish. And he approached catching fish with the same enthusiasm which he applied to living his full and important life.

Charlie is preceded in death by his parents Gregory and Frances, brothers John and Roman, sister Lillian, Godfather “Bobo” Lopes, Godson Frankie, and many friends. Charlie is survived by his loving wife of 56 years Rhoda, two children, Charlene and Charles, his sister Margaret Pina, and several nephews who loved and adored him.

In lieu of flowers, the family is suggesting that donations be made to the Greater Hartford Urban League.

Visitation will be held on November 20, 2020 from 9:00 AM – 10:30 AM at Doane Beal & Ames Funeral Home in Hyannis, MA (livestreamed at https://www.dignitymemorial.com/en-ca/obituaries/hyannis-ma/charles-senteio-9901201). A Mass of Christian Burial will follow at 11:00 AM at St. Francis Xavier Church where Charlie served as an altar boy. Interment will be held after services at St. Francis Xavier Cemetery. All attendees are required to wear masks and follow social distancing. The family will hold a virtual celebration of Charlie’s life on November 28th at noon ET. For those that wish to attend, please email: CharlieMemorial@senteio.com to request link to connect.