Charles N. Partlow

Charles N. Partlow, 65, of Lake Wales, FL, and formerly of Canton, NY, left this life on Jan. 22, 2015.

Chuck was born on Nov. 21, 1950, to Earl and Barbara (Daunt) Partlow, and immediately established himself as the smartest man in the room. He was later forced to share the limelight with two sisters, Nancy and MB.

He grew up in Degrasse, attending a one-room school house before being bussed to Russell. He graduated from Knox Memorial in 1969. He studied engineering at Clarkson, and graduated there in 1973.

Always ready for an adventure, Chuck moved west. He lived in New Mexico and California, where his son Matthew was born, then the Chicago area for several years, before returning to upstate New York via Syracuse and then Canton in 1982, where he taught Engineering at SUNY-Canton in between playing poker and golf.

In 1997, Chuck decided he’d had enough of icy wind and snowbanks and moved to Lake Wales, FL, and became Utilities Director for the city. There, in 1999, he plighted his troth and married the love of his life, Deborah Downey Catalano, who brought a bonus to the Partlow family: daughter Michelle and son Russ to love.

Chuck is survived by his wife Deborah, and children Matt (Jennifer) Partlow of Boston, MA, Michelle Catalano (Chris Lansdale) of Port Charlotte, FL and Russ (Ashlee Sweeney) Catalano, and granddaughters Jaycee and Joplin of Massena, NY. He will also be deeply missed by mother Barbara J. Hance of DeKalb Jct., NY, and his sisters Nancy (Terry) Skeldon of Degrasse, NY and MB Partlow (Joe Loyall) of Colorado Springs, CO, plus nieces, nephews and cousins.

Chuck got his love of dogs from his father and grandfathers, with whom he also shared a love of hunting. He dabbled in photography and was fond of hats and Hawaiian shirts. He was a big Florida Gators fan, and enjoyed visiting New Orleans (especially the Acme Oyster Bar) as often as possible.

With his dry sense of humor, Chuck was always ready to share a story or to listen to yours. He had the remarkably rare habit of thinking before he spoke, and preferred to speak his truth quietly. He was smart, funny, a true friend and a great husband, son, brother, father, grandfather and cousin. He was loved, and he will never be forgotten.

A memorial service will be held in Lake Wales, FL, in early March, and in Canton, NY, in early June. Details will be made available as they are confirmed.

If you wish to honor Chuck, please consider making a donation to one of the two places that aided Chuck and his family on his final journey. The first is the Moffitt Cancer Center in Tampa: https://moffitt.org/give-back/donate/. The second is The Good Shepherd Hospice in Sebring: https://goodshepherdhospice.chaptershealth.org/GeneralDonation.

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