John Robert Charles

John R. Charles, known as Crow to many, was born in Portland, Maine on October 26, 1935. On August 16, 2026, John died in Chandler, Arizona. Although he battled with Parkinson’s, he was able to finish his time on this earth where he wanted to be.

John was a Deering High School and University of Maine graduate. At Maine, he was a proud member of Beta Theta Pi Fraternity. John was drafted into the U.S. Army for two years and then called back to serve an additional ten months. He lived in the San Francisco Bay Area for over 50 years - where he spent 40 years in the specialty food and confection business.

In retirement, John gave back to the communities where he lived and worked. He read the news at the Lighthouse for the Blind in San Francisco for 16 years. He also taped books for the visually impaired at the Books Aloud in San Jose for 16 years. He volunteered with the Millbrae Police Department for 16 years. It seemed that John found his real calling when he served as a volunteer docent at the Filoli Historic House Gardens for 17 years. He not only got to grace others with his resounding voice and insightful knowledge, he loved being able to spend time at such beautiful gardens. He was also a long-time member of the San Mateo Elks Lodge.

John moved from San Mateo, California to Chandler, Arizona in 2019 where he could spend time with his sister Lucille, niece Priscilla and nephew Chuck.

John enjoyed reading, classical music and playing tennis – especially when it didn’t get the better part of his mind. John was also an avid eater and he was actually a “foodie” before it became a thing.

John leaves behind many friends, old and new, who cherished any interactions with him regardless the time or situation. John is survived by: niece Priscilla Seibel and her husband Randy; nephew Chuck Spencer; nephew Dennis Charles and his wife, Barbara; and niece Diane Charles and her husband Kevin Grim.

Celebrations of John’s life will be held: September 12, 2026, 2:00 – 4:00 pm at the Jones, Rich & Barnes Funeral Home, 199 Woodford Street, Portland, Maine, 04103 and September 30, 2026, 2:00 – 4:00 pm at The Park at Copper Creek Independent Living Community, 901 S. 94th Street, Chandler, Arizona, 85224.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to support Parkinson’s research at the Parkinson’s Foundation (www.parkinson.org)

Burial at Forest City Cemetery in South Portland will be private.