Charles W. "Charlie" Encarnacao

Charles W. (“Charlie”) Encarnacao, age 84, of North Reading, formerly of Wakefield, passed away peacefully with loved ones by his side on Friday, May 10th at the Lahey Hospital & Medical Center in Burlington, MA.

Charlie was known for his warm smile, his giving nature, and his deep love for family, friends and community.

Born in Wakefield on January 10, 1940, he was the son of the late Julio and Olivia (Sousa) Encarnacao.

Charlie attended Wakefield High School where he proudly played football along with his equally athletic brothers, serving as team quarterback and co-captain in the WHS 1957 Middlesex League Championship win. The friends he made while playing a sport he loved were friends for life.

After high school, Charlie traveled to Escondido, California to attend Palomar College where he studied history and continued playing football. During college, he worked at a local church and had fond memories of Father Spain who served as both a friend and mentor.

While living in Escondido, Charlie served in the U.S. Air Force. He also married and started a family before returning home to Wakefield.

One of Charlie’s true passions was preparing meals for others. He cooked, fed and nourished many people over the years, and he loved doing it. After learning food prep skills in the kitchen at the local Howard Johnsons in Stoneham, he eventually opened his own restaurant, and later co-managed a special events catering business “Charles Catering” with his lifelong friend, Jimmy Horne. Together they hosted countless weddings and life celebrations at the Crystal Community Club of Wakefield, as well as preparing holiday meals for the Salvation Army.

Charlie’s main career was in paving, excavation and general construction. After learning his trade while working for others, he then branched out to start his own business, Charles W. Encarnacao & Sons, which he proudly retired from in his mid-70s. He continued to help out family and friends with their landscape improvement projects well after retirement, even using his beloved “Bobcat” to build a large outside fire-pit when he was 80 years old.

Charlie stayed well connected with the Wakefield community throughout his lifetime. He was a past president of the Crystal Community Club and was honored as Man of the Year in 1977 for his contributions to the town. Over the years he loved to spend time with his neighborhood friends and even continued to host summer reunions with his Wakefield classmates. 

During his retirement years, Charlie loved to head to Wakefield to pick up the Wakefield Daily Item and to visit friends and family in town. In the mornings he attended Mass at a number of different Wakefield churches and he would walk around the scenic side of the Wakefield lake for daily exercise when the weather permitted. 

Throughout his life, Charlie found much joy while tending his gardens, first at his childhood home in Wakefield and then in North Reading where he raised his family of five. His home-grown vegetables were enjoyed by many and his colorful flower gardens were his greatest source of serenity. 

When Charlie was ready to relax, you could find him on his backyard patio, where he would have a fire going in the outside stove, sports or music playing on the radio, and he would offer you a glass of homemade wine along with lively conversation. When he was out and about, he loved to participate in a game of darts, bocce, horseshoes or pool, whether competing with close friends or family members of all ages. 

Charlie was the beloved father of Alicen Encarnacao and husband Ron Racca of North Reading, Yvonne (Encarnacao) Blacker and husband John of Lynnfield, Linda Encarnacao and husband Tom Liebert of Louisville, CO, Joe Encarnacao and wife Karesa of Reading, and Tom Encarnacao and wife Chris of Billerica. He is also survived by his former wife and mother of his five children, Ann (Burgess) Encarnacao. He was the loving grandfather of 13 and the cherished uncle to many nieces and nephews. He is also survived by his dear friend Helen Lanagan of Burlington.

Charlie was blessed to grow up in a large family and is survived by two sisters, MaryAnn and Elizabeth Encarnacao, both of Wakefield. He was predeceased by his seven brothers Anthony "Tony" Montrond, Julio, Manuel, Arthur, Richard, John, and Robert Encarnacao; and two sisters Ann Custodio and Mae De Cruz.

His Funeral Mass will be celebrated at The Lazarus Center for Healing Shrine/St. Florence Church, 47 Butler Avenue, Wakefield on Thursday, May 23, at 10:30 a.m. Visitation for relatives and friends will be held at the McDonald Funeral Home, 19 Yale Avenue, Wakefield on Wednesday, May 22, from 4-7 p.m. Interment, Forest Glade Cemetery, Wakefield.

Charlie will be forever in the hearts of those who loved him.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to The Encarnacao Family Fund which was established to help support Wakefield students in need achieve their higher education goals. Checks should be made payable to The Scholarship Foundation of Wakefield with the memo “The Encarnacao Family Fund” and mailed to P.O. Box 321, Wakefield, MA 01880.