Charles R. Aldridge

With profound sadness, we announce the passing of Charles R. Aldridge, our loving and devoted husband and father. A friend to all whose lives he touched. He passed surrounded by his family on October 3, 2021 after a courageous battle with cancer.

Charlie was born April 11,1960 in Stamford CT, the son of the late Catherine E. (McCloskey) Aldridge and Robert B. Aldridge. He is survived by his wife of 31 years, Christine, and his daughters, Meghan, with her husband Mark Cordoano, and Kaitlin. He is also survived by his sister Mary Jean Hinz, her husband Peter, as well as many nieces, nephews and cousins.

He was also predeceased by his brother, Stephen.

Charlie grew up in New Fairfield, CT and later built a home with Christine, in Danbury, CT where they raised their family. He received a Bachelor of Business Administration with a concentration in Finance from Western Connecticut State University and went on to earn a Master of Science in Construction Management from Polytechnic Institute of New York University.

Charlie found joy in athletics. Through hard work and the determination to always improve himself, he had a successful career in both high school and collegiate sports. While captaining the varsity football team and setting school records in track and field, he never lost sight of the importance of teamwork and sportsmanship. These qualities were later embedded in his coaching style when he coached New Fairfield High School football and his daughter’s basketball teams through the Police Athletic League and St. Joseph School.

By trade, Charlie was a master carpenter. At the age of 24, he established CRA Builders, Inc. through which he fulfilled this life-long passion. For the past several years, he also worked as a senior project manager for Caldwell & Walsh Building Construction in New York City. His work ethic and workmanship could be matched by few. He loved building things from luxury homes and home renovations to rustic centerpieces for his daughter’s wedding. He always said what he loved about carpentry, was that at the end of a long day, he could stand back and actually see his day’s effort. He was a mentor and shared all that he knew with others.

In the spare time he allowed himself, he attended a variety of sporting events, specifically Yankees, UConn Women’s basketball and college football games. He passionately rooted for the NY Jets. He was an avid reader and enjoyed learning about history, politics, and current events. His love of music spanned genres. One of his favorite things to do was relax on Green Hill Beach in RI where he looked forward to fishing with his life long friends. He could often be found working in his workshop while listening to the radio, exercising in his home gym, or swimming at the YMCA.

Above all else, he found no greater joy than in being a husband and father. Charlie will be remembered by his wife and children as their rock—the one person who would fix any problem and make things better. There was nothing he couldn’t do and if he didn’t know something, he took the time to learn. He worked tirelessly for his family. The devotion and love he showed them is beyond measure.

It is an understatement to call Charlie a great man. There aren’t enough words to describe the wonderful person he was. Anyone who was blessed to have had him in their life would describe him as the salt of the Earth—humble, kind, compassionate, genuine, and selfless. Proud to be an Eagle Scout, he lived his life with honor in accordance with his deepest values, always doing the right thing no matter how hard it was.

Charlie treated everyone with integrity and respect. He understood the value of friendship and was considered a loyal friend and brother by so many. He did for others without expectation of recognition. He pursued excellence in all aspects of his life and in everything he did. No challenge was too big for Charlie, he was the embodiment of a can-do attitude.

Charlie was one in a million, the best of the best. He has forever left a special mark on this world and changed the lives of those who loved him. He will be missed and cherished forever.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10am on Friday, Oct. 8, 2021 at St. Joseph Church, Danbury.

Friends will be received from 4pm-7pm on Thursday, Oct. 7, 2021 at the Green Funeral Home, 57 Main St. Danbury.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in Charles' memory may be made to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF), 200 Connecticut Ave., Norwalk, CT 06854