To my husband:

There are some things I'd like to say about Charles Gordon Pye, Jr. affectionately know as Pete, because an obituary notice in a newspaper does not say what kind of man he was. I does not mention that he was loving and caring, that he found time to enjoy his family and friends, that he took the time to organize and supervise in order that his and other people's children might enjoy meaningful participation in a team sport. It does not state that as a father, a boss, a coach, he was fair with firmness and an ability to see both sides of a question and settle disputes equitably and to the satisfaction of the majority. It does not list the number of people he made happy by remembering their names and inquiring about their particular interests or problems, or smiling his friendly smile, or telling them the latest funny story. It makes no reference to his amazing memory which enabled him to recall important information or the smallest detail. It cannot express the warmth with which he greeted people or the sincerity of his concern for them.

He was a people person. If you were from Taiwan, or Poland, or Algeria, or inland, or anywhere, he knew the right questions to ask you and would please you with his knowledge of the history of your country. He might know a few words in your language and start the conversation with those few words. He would be familiar with the kind of food your countrymen enjoyed eating, would know how it was prepared and served and would ask if there might be a local restaurant that would specialize in it. He would know the past and present leaders of your country, the ethnic make-up of its citizens, the origin of its language, and the development of its customs, but he would ask questions and let you lead the conversation. The next time you met him, you felt as if you were meeting a longtime friend.

In dealing with people he had a very important rule -- always allow them psychological turning room. If he had to administer discipline, it was done wisely so that the person, instead of feeling crushed and defeated, would be able to go on with a feeling of worth and dignity. He valued people and treated them with respect.

For many years, until his retirement, he had an office in the Copley Plaza Hotel, and he was friendly with Mike O'Leary, the head bell hop, Richie, the doorman, Jack, the shoeshine man, John and Louis, the barbers, Mazie, the telephone operator, Dr. Sabino, a tenant, Alan Tremaine, the hotel manager, and many others who crossed his path.

Pete was self-educated because he wanted to know all about many things and he never stopped learning. He could talk with the local nurseryman about any phase of horticulture and knew the Latin names of most of the trees and plants because years ago he had made it a point to learn them. He studied genetics and applied his knowledge to the breeding of pigeons, keeping accurate records and developing champions. He read books on history and grew enough vegetables to feed an army. His lifelong interest in history and geography enabled him to discuss intelligently, world affairs, the changes in political situations, the new names of old countries, and the location of just about any spot in the world.

He loved literature, poetry, and music. He read constantly, spent many lunch hours at the Boston Public Library, doing research, and usually came home with a sheaf of notes tucked into his inside pocket. He read poetry aloud -- both classical and comic -- with a knack few people have. The dialects, the inflections, the real meanings blossomed at the tip of his tongue. When we were first married and he offered to help with the dishes, I would say, "Read to me instead". His doing so made my task lighter and and the same time, broadened my horizons.

Charlie's life was filled with music - themes from symphonies, arias from operas, tunes from operettas or plays, popular songs, hymns from his childhood -- all these he would sing or whistle. He could remember the name of the song, who wrote it, who sang it, what it was from, and what year it came out. He was fortunate that his career was involved with music, and in this connection he was privileged to work at WCRB with many fine people whose friendship, love and caring were greatly appreciated.

His interest in sports as a participant in his youth and as a coach in his later years enabled him to have a fund of knowledge about players, records, and championships. He organizing of the Old Colony Boys' Amateur Hockey League was a milestone for many young athletes. He seamed to have an innate ability to put the right combination of players together to get the maximum results. His efforts were rewarded many times by the winning of a championship, but he was most gratified by his association with the participants. He earned the admiration and respect of the people he worked or played with.

Pete held many different jobs and positions during his working years. Such a varied career - newspaperman, farmer, magazine publisher, real estate broken, president of a stamp company, advertising manager, and finally president of a radio station and all along the way he enjoyed the people. He could not walk down the street in Boston without meeting people he had known. He would enter a restaurant, look around, and invariably see someone he knew. He never forgot anyone and even during his years of going to hospitals for treatments, he was still running into folks he had known way back when.

His sense of humor endeared him to all. With a twist of a word, he could change tragedy into comedy. There had to be a funny side to life and he could always find it. His wit was mirth-provoking, never hurtful, and sometimes so subtle that it would be a moment before on one got the point. But he enjoyed the fun as much as anyone, and would laugh as heartily as the best listener.

Success comes in many forms and for him it came in many fields. He always said that he did not want any success which did not include his family, so it is not surprising that his most important success was as a husband, father and grandfather. As a husband he was loving, thoughtful, considerate, caring, sharing, serving, and very entertaining. Life with him was never dull or boring. His head was so full of facts, information, and stories that he could keep an audience interested for hours.

Pete had the facility of expressing his love in words and deeds. He said that he had had the best of life -- the wife and family he wanted, the home he wanted and a measure of success in many facets of living.

As a father, he was loving, firm and fair. He shared his children's joys and sorrows, successes and failures. He helped the children grow spiritually and emotionally: spiritually by many discussions of religion, philosophy and related subjects, by recommending books and by allowing hen freedom to make their own decisions. Mentally, by stimulating in them the desire to learn. He knew all the answers because he had taken the time to find out. They could do this to. Emotionally, by setting such a good example. He could discuss things calmly and rationally. His advice was wise and given in a kindly way. He was diplomatic and tactful, so that, although there might be criticism, which was always privately given, the recipient was left with a feeling of self-worth and esteem. He was an impartial judge, could weigh both sides of a question, render a fair decision, and keep everyone happy.

There was never a prouder or more loving grandfather. Pete could tell stories, recite poetry, sing songs, or even just make funny noises -- all the things which children enjoys. He would ask ridiculous questions which would make the grandchildren laugh. The love they shared was very special.

One association which meant a great deal to Pete was the U.K.T.S. - the Finnish Society of Quincy and Pembroke. His participation in their activities filled many rewarding and happy hours over the years. He respected and admired the sterling qualities of these kind people. He cherished their friendship and was proud to have them as part of his life.

As with many seekers of the truth, Charlie spent a lifetime developing a philosophy of life. He studied all religions, he delved into parapsychology and psychic research. At a very young age, he was reading the Rig-Veda, the Ramyana and the Bhagavadgita. He found many similarities among Christianity, Judaism, Hinduism and most of the world's religions. Finally, he considered himself a Christian who believed in God and in the power of prayer. Probably his strongest conviction was that life does not end with death, the the spirit goes on constantly striving for perfection in order to be reunited forever with God. To Pete, change meant growth, and even when he was physically incapacitated, his mind kept growing and so, with much time for meditation, he arrived at his final philosophical convictions. In a way, he was anticipating thus ultimate change -- death -- and was looking forward to a new adventure and to learning more about God and His universe.

We thank God that we were privileged to live at the same time the Pete spent on Earth. And that we had the wonderfully of knowing and loving him. As we bid him :Good Bye and God Speed", we believe that on the other side, there are cries of "Here he comes!" A favorite quotation of Pete's which includes one of his strong beliefs is taken from Voices in the Dust by Jeffery Farnol. It Follows:

"Life and love and time -- these be -- eternal all, the deathless three, a veritable trinity -- that shall not fade away, so if cold death awhile benight us, true love will like good angel light us -- back into life and reunite us -- through all eternity."

Pete made our lives so full - so happy. And now we say, "Beloved, thank you for everything. God bless you. Go with love and until we meet again - farewell."