Charles Richard Headley, 53, a resident of Wappingers Falls since 1992 and formerly of Alton, NH, died peacefully on Thursday, January 27, 2011 at the James J. Peters VAMC in the Bronx following a courageous 20 year battle with Multiple Sclerosis. His beloved wife Mary, brother Rob and friends were at his bedside.
Born in Findlay, OH on January 12, 1958, he was the son of Martha Bennett Headley of Windham, NH and the late Richard F. Headley. He grew up in Acton, MA then moved to NH where he was a graduate of Alton High School and Marquette University, Milwaukee, WI where he served as Captain of the Pistol Team for ROTC, was a member of the 13th Floor Irregulars and received his Bachelors of Science Degree in Business Administration. He was commissioned as an officer in the US Navy in 1980 and worked at the ROTC Unit at Marquette. He then furthered his training in the Navy in Pensacola, FL, Sacramento, CA, Jacksonville, FL and Brunswick, ME. During his career, he was deployed all over the world. He was a Naval Flight Officer on the P-3Orion with VP26 at NAS Brunswick, Maine. He was a Tactical Coordinator (TACO) and later taught at the Officer Training School (OCS) in Newport, RI. Following his discharge, he continued serving with the Navy in the Reserves for many years. He worked for his father as a Broker at Lake & Stream Realty, Alton, NH and then for Tiffany & Co. in their Corporate Division. Char was a parishioner of St. Columba Church in Hopewell Junction and was a member of St. Mary's Council #4065, Knights of Columbus in Fishkill.
On May 24, 1980 at St. Camillus Church, New Castle, PA, Char married Mary Elizabeth Bopp. In addition to his wife and mother, he is survived by his sons, Martin Joseph and Peter William Headley, at home; his brothers, Robert B. Headley of Yorktown and Gordon C. Headley and his wife Cindy of Londonderry, NH; and many nieces and nephews, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, and a grandnephew. He was predeceased by his father; his brother, Bruce F. Headley in 1972; his sister-in-law, Shauna McGregor Headley in 2009; and his cousin, Daniel Francis.
Calling hours will be on Thursday, February 3, from 4 to 8 p.m. at the McHoul Funeral Home, Inc., 895 Route 82, Hopewell Junction. The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday, February 4, at 1:00 p.m. at St. Columba Church, 835 Route 82, Hopewell Junction, followed by interment in St. Denis Cemetery with military honors.
Memorial donations may be made to Char's children: Martin and Peter Headley and mailed c/o McHoul Funeral Home, Inc., PO Box A, Hopewell Jct., NY 12533; National Multiple Sclerosis Society, PO Box 4527, New York, NY 10163; James J. Peters VAMC, Spinal Cord Unit, 130 W. Kingsbridge Road, Bronx, NY 10468; or Castle Point VAMC, 9 Castle Point Road, Castle Point, NY 12511.