Charles F. Waters III

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Charles Frederick Waters III, a resident of Plymouth, died on Sunday, December 9, 2012. He was 63 years old.

Charles was born and raised on Martha’s Vineyard. He was a proud veteran, serving in the U.S. Air Force during the Vietnam War. After his service in the military Charles attended the Culinary Institute of America, where he was able to pursue his love of cooking. Charles ran the culinary department for the Maine Maritime Academy for many years. It was here that he learned how to scuba dive, one of his many passions. It was also during this time that he was fortunate enough to take a trip to Spain and Portugal while running the food department on the ship. He returned to the Vineyard with his family in 1982 where he worked as a chef at the Ocean View restaurant in Oak Bluffs for many years. He was a member of the Martha’s Vineyard Harley Riders and had a passion for his motorcycle. His favorite event was the annual toy ride to collect toys for Toys for Tots.

Charles’s first health battle came in 1993, when he found out he needed a kidney transplant. His family rallied around him to help him through. No one more than his brother Michael, who donated one of his kidneys. This gift of life gave him another 19 years. Then in 1999 he was in a motorcycle accident where he lost his leg. But once again…his strength kept him with us. It was a difficult journey for him after the accident, but he persevered, and remained independent. He moved to the mainland in 2003 to be closer to all of his doctors, but the Vineyard always remained special in his heart. Health problems continued to plague him. He became 100 percent disabled due to effects of agent orange on his body from his service in Vietnam. He soon found out he also had aschemic heart disease and recently, a rare form of cancer.

On his last day, he was doing what he loved most, spending time with his family. Above all else came his unconditional love for those closest to him. After a breakfast with his wife, daughters and grandchildren, he lost his battle when he had a massive heart attack when going back home. His wife was with him.

Charles is survived by his wife of 43 years, Sandra (Flanders) Waters, his parents, Charles F. Waters Jr. and Violet (Cleveland) Waters, his daughters, Tina Miller and Sandy Motta, his brother, Michael Waters, and five sisters, Violet Weinstein, Jane Koelsch, Judith Ann Sylvia, Darlene Kelly, and Patti Bernier, eight grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.

Calling hours will be held on Tuesday, December 18, from 4 to 8 pm at the Nickerson-Bourne Funeral Home, 40 MacArthur Blvd, Bourne. A Funeral Service will be held on Wednesday, December 19, at 12 noon, also in the funeral home. Military Honors will follow at the Massachusetts National Cemetery. Immediately following that will be a gathering at the VFW in Buzzards Bay to share memories of how Charlie touched all of our lives.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Toys for Tots.