SALEM, NH – Charles Patrick Henry Bascom, born December 20, 1932, Church St., East Harwich, MA, passed away peacefully on July 18, 2016 at his home, in Salem, with his loving wife, Joan, and family at his side.
An only child of Earle Wallace and Catherine (Lowney) Bascom, he grew up in East Harwich, on Cape Cod. CPHB got his name from both his grandfathers, “Charles” from his father’s father and “Patrick Henry” from his mother’s.
When Charlie was 11-12 years old, he had a paper route that he shared with Roger Munsey, Jr. Noted world-renowned bird carver, Mr. A.E. (Elmer) Crowell, was one of their customers. One of Charlie’s favorite places to go as a young boy in East Harwich was Muddy Cove, off Pleasant Bay, where he claimed the blue crab were in plentiful supply, clams were never difficult to find and in the Fall, the creek was full of flounder. He raised pigeons and turkeys – only one of which grew to full maturity, that he named “Willie.” The only dog he ever had was a border collie named “Tippy.”
He became a pilot at 16 years old. When asked “why,” his response was this: “I believe every young person that looked up at small aircraft in a blue sky has the desire to ‘do that’!” He said he remembered his first aircraft ride. He was probably 8-10 years old and was with his mother and his Aunt Jenny Mahoney, who took him to Chatham Airport. Aircraft rides could be purchased for $3.00 for a ten-minute ride.” Years later, he said “learning to fly was easier than driving a car.” He called it the East Harwich Airdrome, although it was technically his back yard that was turned into a “landing strip” and that is where he learned to fly. His first aircraft was an Aeronca Champ (N1764E), bought for $600. Landing in the field was a challenge – no room for error! Beach flying became a sport for a while, as well as many other crazy stories that can’t be shared here.
He graduated from Harwich High School, class of 1950, where he was a member of the school’s baseball team.
Charles enlisted in the USAF in Boston on November 19, 1951, attending Basic Training at Sampson AB, Geneva, NY. During the Korean War he was assigned to the 315th Troop Carrier Wing, Air Police Squadron at Brady Air Base, Kyusho, Japan. He rose through all the enlisted ranks, from Airman to Chief Master Sergeant. He was a graduate of the TAC Academy at Langley AFB, VA, Spring of ’73. As a Chief, he had multiple assignments to 21st AF at McGuire, 322 ALD in Europe, 14th AF and 1st AF staff assignments in Macon and Atlanta, GA. Chief’s final assignment was Squadron Operations Manager, for the 85th Aerial Port Squadron, Hanscom AFB, MA. He retired from the United States Air Force on December 20, 1992 having proudly served our country for more than 41 years.
He was especially proud that four of his children also served in the USAF: SMSgt Debe Schiavi (23 yrs), MSgt Diane Bascom (33 yrs), SSgt Dawn Mossey (6 yrs), Lt Col David Bascom, still serving (36+ yrs) and a grandson, Specialist Charles Hunter Veach, currently serving in the US Army – combined military service of all family members, in excess of 200 years.
In Oct/Nov 1955, Charlie took the MA State Police Exam in Boston. When he didn’t hear from anyone, he applied to and was hired by AVCO, a missile corporation in Wilmington, MA. In April of 1956 his mother informed him that he had been accepted for a second class that had been opened by the State Police. By that time, he had already decided to stay with AVCO, where he was employed as a Security Pass & ID specialist. It was here that he met Joan C. Barry. The first time Charles saw Joan, he told a co-worker that he was “going to marry that woman!” In 1956, he married the girl of his dreams, the beautiful Joan Crotty (Barry) Bascom, whom, in one word, he described as “breathtaking,” and that she is. He was her devoted husband and best friend for more than 60 years, recently celebrating their anniversary on July 3rd. Charlie stayed with AVCO for 37 years, retiring as a Project Manager. He later went to work for Home Depot, in Salem, for eleven years, enjoying his time there tremendously. Retirement allowed them to enjoy spending time in Florida and Aruba visiting with life-long friends.
During the 1960’s he went to Boston University and stopped attending, with the understanding he’d go back “later.” Fifteen years later, he did, but not B.U. – instead choosing New Hampshire College, graduating in ’78 with a B.S. in Management, National Honor Society, “Gold Key” recipient, Magna Cum Laude, 3.6 GPA, ranking 30th in his class of 261 – becoming the “first” in his family to receive a college degree.
Charles and Joan had six children together. When the kids were little – they enjoyed day trips, (more like mystery rides), to wherever the VW bus would take them – “ARE WE ALMOST THERE YET?” Charlie shared his love of the Cape with his family, spending many summers there, with the hope that some day they would appreciate and love it, as much as he did. So many “FUN” memories: clamming & quahogging at Pleasant Bay, boat rides out of Ryder’s Cove, crabbing in the old skiff in Muddy Creek, picking blueberries along Kendrick Road on our way to visit Aunt Jo, cutting the grass at the big house with a sickle, fishing off the wooden bridge in Chatham, flying kites with fishing poles at Chatham Light, hiding in the hall buffet at the big house, the “cottage” with the old Gulf Gas station pumps, HoJo’s, Jodi’s Pizza, penny candy, go carts, trampolines, ice cream, learning to drive a standard in the airfield, Jimmy Bonatt’s meltaways and hermits, visiting the Miller’s, playing in the field of scotch broom on foggy August mornings, “Endless Summers” …
He was an avid reader, and enjoyed collecting Joseph C. Lincoln books, (all but two), appreciating that Lincoln was a Cape Cod writer. Charlie had a great interest in studying history, and was fascinated with tracing his family’s ancestry, and looked forward to the “BASCOM” Reunion, held every three years in New England, once even hosting it, at the family home on Cape Cod.
He was an artist … a fixer-upper … handyman … craftsman … but especially, he was the master at “jury rigging!” There wasn’t anything he couldn’t fix or make and preferred to do it himself.
Charlie had a great love of the outdoors and all that nature had to offer – the sunshine, trees and plants, flowers, all the birds and animals that wandered through the woods, the field and back yard – all had meaning, were worth saving and most especially, should be appreciated for their beauty and wonder.
He was the “Dr. Dolittle” of 2 Elmwood Ave – strays and lost pets were always welcomed by Mr. “B.” – some stayed, some left, however, he had a special knack for attracting them.
His lifelong interest in antiques began at a very young age, which would continue throughout his lifetime. In later years, he found collecting Fiestaware an enjoyable hobby, even making a few trips to the Homer Laughlin China Company, in Newell, WV. When asked what his favorite pastime was, his response was, “undoubtedly, antiques – whether collecting, repairing, refinishing, I have always felt a close association with the original craftsmen that contributed to the world of Art and the beauty of Victorian furniture.”
Charles was always intrigued by the mechanical functions of automobiles. He had acquired a ‘35 Ford early on, but was not able to restore it on his own. He donated it to the Harwich Voc/Tech, a couple of years ago, for a class project to restore it to its original condition. He had hopes of seeing it through the restoration process. He said, “You must have an appreciation for the past to some degree, in order to enjoy today and the future!”
Charles was a gentleman of many titles, all distinguished, yet unique: “Chief,” “Papa,” “Grampa,” “Veteran,” “Sir,” “Chachi,” or just plain “Charlie” to others. He was a mentor and friend, husband and father, grandfather and great-grandfather, neighbor, co-worker or the man in charge. He was always the “go-to” guy who would get the job done, accomplish the mission and solve the problem with whatever tools he had available using good old-fashioned common sense.
In addition to his wife, he is survived by his children: Debe Schiavi (Anthony), Diane Bascom, Dawn Mossey (Michael), David Bascom (Laura), Dean Bascom, Kymberley Veach (Michael), and Christine Maloney; grandchildren: Holly Diane Tavano (Justin), Robbi Dawn Redfield (Michael), Andrew Bascom, Matthew Bascom, Tyler Mossey, Army Specialist Charles Hunter Veach and David Bailey Veach; great-grandchildren: Chase and Linnea Tavano, (4th Generation Cape-Codders); and godson, Tommy Johnson; as well as his many four-legged companions: Kube, Whiskers and Nuggett.
The Family extends their heartfelt gratitude to the amazing care provided by the Compassionate Care Hospice Team of Lauren, Christy and Arthur. You all truly made a difference and your commitment to Quality of Life will always be remembered.
Calling hours will be held at Douglas & Johnson Funeral Home, 214 Main St., Salem, NH, from 5-8 p.m., on Thursday, July 28th, 2016. No services will be held in Salem. Burial will be at Evergreen Cemetery, East Harwich, MA, at a later date. Rest in Peace – We love you!
In lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial donation in Chief Bascom’s name, to the Air Force Association Development Department, 1501 Lee Highway, Suite 400, Arlington, VA 22209, or to the charity of your choice.
Allowing Charlie to have the last word, here is a parting quote, one of his favorites, by John Lennon: “Life is what happens to you while you’re busy making other plans.”
(NOTE: The above obituary is from Douglas & Johnson Funeral Home.)
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