Charles Freemont Kitching, 97, affectionately known as "Da" by his grandchildren and great-grandchildren, passed away peacefully at his home on December 10, 2022.

Charles was born on October 4th, 1925 in Sanford, Maine to Aglaia and Roland Kitching. After graduating from high school he courageously enlisted in the United States Army and served in WWII where he earned a Bronze Star and later received a letter of induction into the French Legion of Honor. One of his greatest memories was being invited to the Volusia Honor Air's trip to the World War II Memorials in Washington D.C.

After proudly serving, Charles continued his education at the University of Maine where he received his B.A. He later moved to Lexington, Massachusetts to raise his family and spent his professional career as a group insurance sales manager. He retired to New Smyrna Beach, Florida where his kind, warm and outgoing personality gave joy to his friends and neighbors. His dedication and love for the game of Bridge earned him the Life Master Certificate and a network of life-long friends who shared his appreciation for traveling and touring the world.

He is predeceased by his wife of 50 years Lynn Kitching, his son Steven Kitching, and his daughter Karen Plum.

He is survived by his daughter Nancy Ryan, sister Marilyn Klein, his cousin Joyce Otis and her husband Bill, grandchildren Johanna Ryan and Justin Ryan and their father Jerry Ryan, grandchildren Joshua Plum and Zachary Plum and their father Michael Plum, and 8 great-grandchildren. Charles' family would also like to extend a heartfelt thank you to Vitas Healthcare and his nurse, Sarah Davis, whose quick wit matched his every time.

In memory of Charles (Da, Kitch, Charlie, Chuck or however you remember him) please be kind to others and share a laugh. We offer this remembrance of Charles, a poem written 2 years ago by his long time neighbor, Bill Schneider, as a final farewell:

My Good Neighbor Chuck Blessed are we in our senior years To still enjoy comradery and banter with our peers. At ninety-five years, nearly ten older than me He still works in his yard, even plants an occasional tree. So mentally alert with such a pleasant decorum He amuses me with wit during our daily backyard forums. I laugh heartily at his many humorous barbs As he gently spreads topsoil over his yard. The energy and wit he continuously Is truly a model for us all approaching older days. He says, "life is what it is", and never passes the buck My friend and mentor, my good neighbor Chuck.