Charles (Charlie) Flathers of Vineyard Haven died in Natick on Sunday, Dec. 12, surrounded by family and his beloved wife Sheila Woodworth Flathers. He was 85 and died on his 57th wedding anniversary.

He was born in New Bedford, the son of George H. and Eleanor T. McDevitt Flathers. He was the younger brother of Art Flathers, who predeceased him in 2008. Charlie spent his childhood in Fairhaven until moving to Martha’s Vineyard, where he graduated from Tisbury High School. His four years in the Navy Air Force were followed by four years at University of Massachusetts Amherst, where he graduated with a degree in engineering.

After a 31-year career at General Electric in Philadelphia and Fairfield, Conn., his retirement was filled with travel, golf and time on the patio playing cribbage with his children and grandchildren. He was a family man first and always.

He is survived by his wife, Sheila Flathers of Vineyard Haven; his children, Richard Flathers and his wife Joanne of Southborough, Karen Flathers and her husband James Hartman of Natick, Scott Flathers and his wife Lisa of Wayland, and Kate Flathers and husband Henry Pollock of Natick; and 15 adoring and much-loved grandchildren.

A graveside memorial service will be held in Vineyard Haven in the spring of 2022.

Donations can be made to the Tunnels to Towers Foundation.