Charles Pillsbury

Charles W. Pillsbury, 96, of Duluth, passed away on Thursday, Jan. 12, 2012 at The Fountains at Lakeshore. Charles Walter Pillsbury was born Sept. 2, 1915 in Detroit, Michigan, the son of Walter and Catherine (Vileyn) Pillsbury. He was a Duluth resident for over 90 years. He attended and graduated from Duluth Cathedral High School, where he was named a Duluth All-City Football and Hockey player. He later attended St. Johns University in Collegeville, Minn., and the University of Wisconsin-Superior where he played hockey. He entered the U.S. Army Air Corps in 1942 and served as a Sergeant in the Pacific Theatre during World War II. He was discharged on Jan. 10, 1946. He returned to Duluth and married Shirley Watt on April 15, 1950. The couple made their home in Duluth where Charlie was a mail carrier for 34 years. He retired in 1974. He also refereed football and hockey, umpired baseball, managed the roller rink at the old Duluth Curling Club. He was goal judge, score keeper and announcer for high school hockey and All-Star Wrestling at the DECC, He also worked for his friend, Harvey Solon at M.C. Solon Electric Motors. In retirement, he was a funeral attendant at Dougherty Funeral Home. Chuck was a member of St. Michaels Catholic Church, Knights of Columbus, Lake Avenue Loafers, and the Friday Morning Coffee Club at Lakeside Bakery. The family would like to thank the staff members of St. Annes Residence and The Fountains at Lakeshore for their excellent care and concern of Chuck. He was preceded in death by his parents, wife Shirley on May 15, 2005, brothers, William and Raymond, and sister Virginia Kelso. Chuck is survived by his sons, Charles W. (Nancy) Pillsbury of Northfield and Steven (Holly) Pillsbury of Duluth; grandchildren, Ross, Matt, Katie (Joel) Ebbers, Kevin (Danielle), and Charlie; brother, Robert (Bernice) Pillsbury; and sister, Mary Lou (Robert) Bartikoski. VISITATION: 5-7 p.m. Friday, Jan. 20, 2012 with a Knights of Columbus Rosary at 5 p.m. in Dougherty Funeral Home, 600 E. Second St., Duluth. Visitation will continue Saturday, Jan. 21, 2012 from 11 a.m. to the 12 noon Mass of Christian Burial in St. Michaels Catholic Church, 4901 E. Superior Street, Duluth. Burial at Calvary Cemetery, Duluth. Memorials preferred to St. Michaels Lakeside School and the Duluth Amateur Hockey Association. Military Honors by the Duluth Combined Honor Guard. Arrangements by Dougherty Funeral Home (218) 727-3555.