Charles A. and Dorothy L. Landin

Mr. Charles Landin, 87, of Virginia Beach, died peacefully on August 31, 2012. Mr. Landin, who resided most of his life in East Rockaway, New York, was born June 3, 1925 to Marion and Anthony Landino in Queens, New York.

Survivors include his brother, George Landin and his wife, Norma, of Oakdale, New York, two daughters, Lois Gareau of Montauk, New York and Carol Forte of Virginia Beach, Virginia and their spouses, Scott Gareau and Bob Forte, and one son, Dr. Steven Landin of Newtown, Connecticut and his wife, Cynthia. Surviving grandchildren number nine, including Bobby, Greg, Melissa, Eric, Adam, Julie, Christian, Jesse and Samantha. There are three great grandchildren, Isabelle, Mina and Gryphon. His loving wife Dorothy to whom he was married 57 years predeceased him in 2007.

Dad grew up during the Depression. He was raised by Marion and George W. Bilgam who was our “extra” grandpa. Grandpa Bilgam who worked at Musac was one of the first to build and employ a mute button for his TV because he hated the commercials, even back in the 60’s. He would sit in his favorite easy chair across the room holding a button attached to a long wire that was connected to the television. Pushing this button would turn off the sound.

Dad was a World War II veteran who served as ship’s photographer on the escort aircraft carrier, USS Solomons. They were stationed in the South Atlantic, their only action being the sinking of a German U-boat on June 15, 1944 by planes from the aircraft carrier. Twenty-one Germans were captured including the commanding officer. The Solomons trained many pilots and recorded over 34,000 landings in the three years that it was commissioned.

Dad could fix everything and do just about anything. After the war he got his seaplane license and when he met Dorothy they entered roller skating competitions. He was also an avid bowler and would take his son, Steve, down to Lawrence to bowl with his work buddies.

He worked at Idlewild Airport before it was renamed Kennedy International Airport. There were no fancy terminals back then, only quonset huts and Dad could tell some great stories about it. He worked long, hard hours but never complained.

He was a great Dad and family man, always there when you needed him to help with a science fair project or run the Lynbrook Little League(’61-’63). As a special treat he would sometimes take us to the airport, switch to an Allied car and drive on to the ramp, where we would be surrounded by huge planes on the way to his office. We were simply in awe. Dad, we will miss you dearly.

A Memorial Service to celebrate the lives of Charles and Dorothy Landin will be held at Bethany Congregational Church, 100 Main Street, East Rockaway , NY on June 21st at 11:30a.m. Interment to follow at All Faiths Cemetery, Middle Village , NY. Condolences by friends and family may be offered at www.smithandwilliamskempsville.com.

Donations in his memory can be made to Lynbrook Little League, 25 Clark Avenue, Lynbrook, New York 11563.