Charles Gordon Macbeth

Charles “Chuck” Gordon Macbeth, age 99, a longtime resident of Old Saybrook, Connecticut, passed away peacefully at his home on Thursday, September 3, 2026, in the company of loved ones. Born November 1, 1926, in Pittsfield, Massachusetts, he was the son of Ralph Benjamin and Alice Selena Parr Macbeth.

Chuck spent his first 25 years in Pittsfield living close to grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins. He attended local schools, was very active in Boy Scouts, and enlisted in the Army Air Corps (forerunner of U. S. Air Force) as a senior at Pittsfield High School, graduating in the class of 1944. Chuck completed Army Specialized Training Reserve Program in March 1945 and attended basic training in Texas and Colorado, but his visions of flying a fighter airplane vanished when World War II ended in September 1945. As a result, Chuck was honorably discharged in November 1945. After Chuck weighed college versus a job, an Army buddy told him about interviews with New England Telephone Company. At age 19, he landed a job digging holes and climbing telephone poles for $29 per week.

In January 1951, Chuck met Gladys Denise Caswell, who had been working for General Electric in Pittsfield for about eight years. In July 1951, after several attempts, Gladys finally said “Yes” to Chuck’s proposals. On October 13, 1951, Chuck and Gladys married at St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church in Pittsfield. They briefly resided in the area before relocating to Old Saybrook, where Chuck had received a transfer to Southern New England Telephone Company (SNET). He worked for SNET for 42 years. In 1952, Chuck and Gladys began constructing a house on a wooded plot along the Connecticut River, designing and building it themselves. In July 1954, they moved into the house where they raised four sons and lived the rest of their lives.

The Macbeth sons appreciate beyond words the solid devotion by Chuck to his wife and family and as the sole provider. His work ethic, indefatigable diligence, unassailable integrity, kindness, and courteousness left indelible impressions on them. The sons have lifetimes of countless memories and strong influences from Chuck’s problem-solving skills and seemingly unlimited energy and perseverance that he applied to all tasks, whether simple or complex. The sons spent hours making things in the basement workshop, helping Dad with plumbing, electrical, woodworking, or masonry projects, in addition to learning many outdoor and camping skills. Leading by example, Chuck and Gladys provided a deep foundation of safety, cooperation, and love in the family.

Chuck’s selfless service and strength of character as a scoutmaster for many years left lasting impressions on numerous young men’s lives. He was a member of Grace Episcopal Church in Old Saybrook for about 75 years.

Chuck and Gladys loved nature, being outdoors, and hiking. After initial camping trips in New England and Canada in the early 1960s, they took their family on its first cross-country car-camping trip to New Mexico in 1964. In 1966, Chuck and Gladys purchased a 17-acre forested property in Vermont, and in summer 1970, they took the family on an 11,000-mile road trip from Connecticut to Alaska. In 1978, led by Chuck, the four boys, friends, and Gladys erected a log cabin on the Vermont property. For many years, this cabin was one of the family’s favorite places of respite and where Chuck and Gladys spent special time with their grandchildren. Chuck proudly held the family times in Alaska and Vermont at the top of his life’s experiences. Chuck and Gladys took many trips overseas after their “nest” emptied.

Chuck was predeceased by his wife Gladys and parents Ralph and Alice Macbeth. He is survived by son Thomas and partner Maureen Griffin of Connecticut, son Stephen and partner Andrea Clearfield of Pennsylvania, son Eric and wife Jenny of Wisconsin, and son Christopher and wife Roberta of Colorado. He is also survived by many grandchildren, great grandchildren, and nieces and nephews.

The family will host a celebration of Chuck’s life in the future. In lieu of flowers or gifts, the family requests consideration of donations in Chuck’s name to Middlesex Hospice https://middlesexhealth.org/donate, which provided vital care and essential services.