Obituary of Charles Robert Weston

Charles Robert Weston September 15, 1943 – February 1, 2010 After a courageous battle with cancer, Charles, age 66, passed away quietly on February 1, 2010 with his daughters Erin Weston and Michele Weston Rowe at his side. Born in Mobile, Ala., on September 15, 1943, Charles grew up in the Midwest and attended Allen Park High School. After graduating in 1961, he went to Central Michigan University on a baseball scholarship. In 1967, Charles graduated from Officer Candidate School (OCS) as a Second Lieutenant in Fort Sill, Okla. His first and only commission in the US Army was August 1967-1969 in Vicenza, Italy. In 1970, Charles returned to the Detroit Metro area and began his career at Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan where he worked for 38 years in the marketing area, most recently servicing the labor and trust funds groups. He retired in September 2008. Charles enjoyed the outdoors and had uncanny knowledge of flora and fauna. He had a special love for Lexington, Mich., where he spent many summer weekends with his family. He was a car enthusiast who loved to "take a drive" anywhere the road would lead him. Chevy, Ford, Chrysler, Volkswagon, Porsche, Toyota, Honda, MG – he owned them all…and more of them over the years than his family can count or keep track of. Charles was a great athlete and enjoyed playing baseball, golf and his life-long passion – hockey. Hockey not only brought him great joy, it filled his life with valuable, unique, irreplaceable friendships. He played hockey in various leagues around the Detroit area and traveled often to tournaments across the US and Canada. In his late 50's he finally left the "30 & over" designation and joined a senior league where he flourished again as a gritty, competitive center. His reputation in hockey circles preceded him. When you met Charles, it didn't take long to understand how important this game was to his whole purpose in life. Charles was a loving and supportive father to his two daughters Erin and Michele. He was spunky and witty and had a big, bright smile that will be remembered by many. He is survived by his mother Martha (Warner) Weston, daughters Erin Weston and Michele Weston Rowe, son-in-law Rocky Rowe and two grandsons Cameron and Cooper Rowe. He is pre-deceased by his father Robert Weston and his dear grandmother Elizabeth (Creswell) Warner. “Nasty” #16 has retired. He will be missed by many. A memorial will be held Thursday, February 4 from 4:00 pm - 9:00 pm, at the Tompkins Community Center at Windmill Pointe Park, 14900 Windmill Pointe Drive, Grosse Pointe Park, Mich. A short service will begin at 6:00 pm where friends and family are invited to share stories or memories about Charles. Hors d'oeuvres and beverages will be served. If you are so inclined, the family invites you to wear your favorite hockey jersey to honor Charles’ love of the game. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the Special Olympics (www.specialolympics.org). In the spring, Charles will be inurned with military honors at the Great Lakes National Cemetery in Holly, Mich. Please share a memory in Charles' guestbook.