Charles “Charlie” Williams Fairbrother passed away on August 23, 2026, in Mystic, Connecticut, at the age of 81. Charlie was born in Westerly, Rhode Island, on December 27, 1944, to Billings and Margaret Fairbrother. He grew up in Stonington, Connecticut, alongside his older brother, Dean.

He attended high school at The Williston Northampton School in Easthampton, Massachusetts, earned his bachelor’s degree at Bethany College in West Virginia, and completed his master’s degree at the University of Rhode Island. In 1971, Charlie married Elizabeth Groton of Stonington. Together, they raised their two sons, Chaz and John, in Canterbury, Connecticut. Charlie dedicated his professional life to education, spending the majority of his career teaching middle school history and geography in the Plainfield Public School System. Deeply involved in the Canterbury community, he served as a volunteer firefighter, coached Little League baseball for his sons, led as a Boy Scout Scoutmaster, and later served as president of the Canterbury Historical Society.

Following the tragic passing of Elizabeth in 2002, Charlie remained active in both his teaching career and community life. He was a dedicated member of the Wadawanuck Yacht Club in Stonington, serving on numerous committees and leading as President of the Tennis Committee. In 2003, Charlie married Jane Simmons Kennedy. He retired from teaching in 2006, after which he and Jane settled in Ledyard, Connecticut, enjoying their retirement years in the Stonington area they both loved so dearly.

Charlie is survived by his son, Chaz Fairbrother; his son and daughter-in-law, John and Marlene Fairbrother; his two cherished grandchildren, Makenna and Davis Fairbrother; his brother and sister-in-law, Dean and Judith Fairbrother; and his cousin, Prudence Meehan. He was preceded in death by his parents, Billings and Margaret Fairbrother; his first wife, Elizabeth Groton Fairbrother; and his second wife, Jane Simmons Kennedy Fairbrother.

Services for Charlie will be held on Saturday, September 26th at 3pm, at Calvary Episcopal Church, 27 Church Street, Stonington, CT, 06378. A private burial will take place at another time, and no formal reception will follow.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in Charlie’s honor to the American Cancer Society.