Charles Dearden Vernon was born on November 4, 1944, in Worcester, Massachusetts and died peacefully on October 18, 2024 in Hartford, Connecticut from medical complications. He was the son of the late Hollis and Jean Dearden Vernon.
Chuck grew up on the campus of the Williston Northampton School in Easthampton, Massachusetts. At Williston, he stood out as an inspiring leader of the student body as president of the Student Council and as a gifted, determined athlete who exceled in football, hockey and lacrosse, serving as captain of the latter two. In a remarkable tribute to Chuck and his leadership abilities, a teammate’s family donated a Victory Bell to the school in his honor. Dedicated to Chuck, the inscription reads that he proved to all that “sportsman is the true victory.” Chuck was elected to the school’s Athletic Hall of Fame in 2023.
After Williston Chuck attended Dartmouth College, graduating in 1966. At Dartmouth he was once again a campus leader and recognized athlete, captain of the men’s lacrosse team and named as an All-American for his sportsmanship and love of the game.
Following graduation from Dartmouth, for a brief time Chuck managed a Dixieland-motif restaurant, Your Father’s Mustache, first in Bay Head, New Jersey during the summer and then in New York City the following winter. It was in Bay Head that he met the love of his life, Jamie Sandra Gardner, whom he married in 1968.
In 1968 Chuck began his illustrious career at the Loomis Chaffee School in Windsor, Connecticut, serving on the faculty in myriad roles throughout his career in secondary school education, but primarily as the head of the Community Work Program, which he established shortly after his arrival. Again, Chuck’s commitment to athletics and his ability to engage and lead others to perform at their highest level were evident as he coached 135 teams for over 40 years. To honor his outstanding contribution to girls’ ice hockey, the New England Preparatory Schools Athletic Conference named the Elite Division championship tournament in his honor.
When he wasn’t coaching during the school year, Chuck, along with Jamie, spent every summer at the Jersey Shore hosting gatherings for family and friends, making furniture in his shop and body surfing at Bridge Avenue Beach.
Throughout his quasi-retirement, Chuck continued and expanded his passion for woodworking and his commitment to walking, engaging friends and neighbors to join him. In this latter realm, as in other forums, Chuck’s effervescent personality, punctuated by forceful insistence and a quick wit, brought people into his orbit, summoning them to action and enriching their lives.
Throughout Chuck’s life, he was fiercely committed to his family and friends as they were to him. In his eyes, his wife Jamie, who predeceased him, was the most incredible person on the planet. A loving and present father to Jill and Andrew, he also leaves his special GrandGirls Lila, Jenna, Hannah and Tatum; Jill’s husband Todd and Andrew’s wife Adrianne, along with many friends, especially Ginny Drapeau who was a constant source of care and strength the past two years. Predeceased by his brother Kirke, Chuck also leaves several cousins and their children.
There will be a Celebration of Life for Chuck at the Loomis Chaffee School on Sunday November 24th at 10:00 a.m. with luncheon to follow.
Donations in his memory can be made to The Loomis Chaffee School, for the Charles D. Vernon Teaching Fund, Alumni/Development, 4 Batchelder Road, Windsor, CT 06095
I was honored to attend Williston and when I arrived in the Fall of 1960 the very first student I met when I was moving into “Mem” dorm was Chuck Vernon. He has a captivating personality and I always look up to him and think of what a great example he sets for all of us. I intentionally use the present tense to speak about him as some people are not supposed to pass and in so many ways he will always be there with all the people he touched. I was on Campus in the summer of 2023 and had to take my picture as I rang the Victory Bell in his honor and put the picture on my Facebook. He “Proves that Sportsmanship is the True Victory”. Respectfully, Don Hudson 1964.
As I read this news, one world immediately popped into my head, Chuck Vernon was the Brand of the school for those of our years. Be it academics, sports, or the
navigation of personal challenges, Chuck was always willing to listen and express his
honest and straightforward thoughts. Even when we may have disagreed within the
school’s restrictive environment, he always respected your feelings, was never
patronizing and made you think about the overall context of the issue. I never felt he tried to get an edge but tried to give you his honest opinion, like it or not. As I see from his post-college bio, his integrity was recognized and rewarded. Even as young men, his fealty to no-nonsense discussion on things that mattered, and his strength of character were discernable. The good of Williston was his DNA.
I would like to say to the members of his extended family, life was kind to place this
man in your lives. He was a good and honest man who valued his ability to help
others achieve their goals and never give up. I did learn at our 50th, he developed a love for woodworking. I hope you all have an example that, especially now, tugs at your heart.
I feel fortunate that we shared a friendship.
Godspeed to his soul.