Rye, NH - Charles R. Rich, 95, of Rye, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, May 15, 2018, in his favorite recliner after dozing off while watching the Red Sox.

While attending Lynn English High School, Charlie became an Eagle Scout, an achievement he valued throughout his life. While in the Boy Scouts, he was credited with leading a group of other scouts in rescuing a lost child from the, then, large forest near Lynn, Mass. He was an avid outdoorsman, enjoying skiing, fishing, and especially canoeing. Charlie served with the Army Air Corps throughout WWII, returning to marry his childhood sweetheart, Jean A. Ripley, to whom he was married until her death in 1998. Upon his return from duty he attended Boston University. During the 1950s he was involved in politics in Boxford, Mass., where he helped direct the financing of the new regional school. After a career in manufacturing, he owned the Down East Oyster House in Gloucester, Mass. Charlie moved from Massachusetts to the New Hampshire seacoast with his wife, Jean, in 1990.

He is survived by his children, Carl Rich and his wife Laura of Owl’s Head, Maine, Lois Russell of Boston and Kay Lyon and her husband, Wm. Todd Lyon of Newburyport, Mass., with whom he enjoyed many evenings of playing gin rummy; eight grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; three nieces; and his good friends, Frank and Evelyn McCauley.

There will be a private burial for the family at a future date. Memorial donations may be made to Planned Parenthood or the charity of one’s choice.