Obituary: Southport Native, 27, Was Smart, Kind And Adventurous

Via Spear Miller Funeral Home:

Charles Monroe Proctor died May 5, just 19 days before his 28th birthday, while riding his bike on Massachusetts Avenue in Arlington, Massachusetts. He was killed by a car ten minutes from his home in Somerville, Massachusetts.

He was a smart, kind, adventurous man who spread his joy and zest for life to everyone he knew. In his short life he did as much living as most do in normal lifespans.

Charlie, the cherished son of Charles Edward and Judith Chapman Proctor, was raised in Southport, where he attended Mill Hill Elementary School, Tomlinson Middle School and Greens Farms Academy. Charlie sang in GFA’s a cappella group, the Beachers; attended Trinity Church; sailed at Pequot Yacht Club and Cedar Point Yacht Club; and went on to be a sailing instructor at Norwalk Yacht Club. In 2014, he graduated from Tufts University with a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering. He was also an active member of the Tufts Sailing Team.

Charlie was in his sixth year working at Architectural Engineers Inc. in Boston and had just achieved his professional engineer certification. He had worked on HVAC building designs on projects around the Boston area, including Boston Logan International Airport and the award-winning Worcester Blackstone Valley visitors center.

Charlie loved the outdoors. Winters he could be found in the mountains, backcountry skiing and ice climbing. During the summer Charlie loved climbing, sailing, and bicycling, including going on an annual bike camping tour with his family. He became an accomplished climber and mountaineer, progressing from his first real rock climb in 2016 to climbing the arduous Cassin Ridge on Mount Denali just three years later. Charlie delighted in sharing his passion with those he loved. He pushed family and friends to test their own limits and exit comfort zones, and was always encouraging, caring and loving in his support.

As a sailing teammate with his father, he had many happy and winning days on the racecourse in the Lightning and other classes. The 2018 Lightning North Americans and Connecticut Governor’s Cup are among their accomplishments.

He is survived by his parents, Ched and Judy Proctor of Southport; his brother, Tom, and sister-in-law, Sandra Voss, of Bronx, New York; his girlfriend, Alison Piasecki, of Somerville; and many cherished friends and relatives.

The family has established the MassBike Charlie Proctor Memorial Fund to support advocacy for safer roadways. Online donations can be made at massbike.org/charlie_proctor_memorial_fund, or send checks to MassBike, 50 Milk St., 16th Floor, Boston, MA 02109.

A memorial service will be scheduled at a later date.