28, 2005 at Cheshire Medical Center in Keene, NH. He was born in Windsor, VT on July 24, 1923 of Polish and Lithuanian parents. His father was Charles
Michael Puksta and his mother was Benedicta Siemesz Puksta Gdan.
Charles attended Windsor High School and graduated from Kimball Union
Academy in 1942. He received his BA from Middlebury College in 1949 where he was captain of the football team and member of the KDR fraternity. He
received a BS degree from MIT in 1950. He was employed by Jones and Lamson of Springfield, Vt. as the Director of Training. He served in the US Air
Force during WWII and retired from the AF reserves with the rank of Lt.
Colonel in 1983.
Charles Puksta was a dedicated public servant throughout his life. He served
the City of Claremont on the City Council for 26 years and Mayor for 16
years. He was Moderator of the school district; Commissioner for the
Connecticut River Commission; member of the Chamber of Commerce, where he was named Man of the Year; Director of the Opera House and Incorporator of the Valley Regional Hospital. Charles was a member of the Kiwanis Club, the
Elks Club and the American Legion.
Charles Puksta was an advocate for education. He was appointed by two
Presidents to the National Advisory Council on Adult Education. He served as
Chairman of the Board of Governors for the NH Community Technical College
and on the Governor's Committee on New Hampshire's Future. He also served
the Vermont Exemplary Programs Advisory Committee for Vocational Technical
Education and the Vermont Career Education Advisory Committee.
Charles was a devout Catholic and member of St. Joseph Church. He gave many hours to church functions, called bingo for 50 years at their annual bazaar
and hosted the annual Sports Night awards ceremonies for high school
athletes. He was Past Faithful Navigator and Commander of the Knights of
Columbus.
Charles Puksta believed in a good and honorable political process and
volunteered actively in support of many local, state and national political
campaigns. He served as Claremont City Chairman for numerous GOP
candidates, was the GOP chairman for Sullivan County, attended National
Conventions and served on the Platform Committee. He attended the
inaugurations of Presidents Nixon, Reagan and George Bush, Sr.
Charles loved his family and is survived by his wife of 58 years, Lorraine
Leocha Puksta. He and Lorraine co-owned and managed Leocha's Market on 6 Elm Street and numerous apartment buildings. He had seven children and 15
grandchildren. His children are: Mary Todd (and Paul) of Anchorage, Alaska;
Charles P. Puksta, Jr (and Nancy) of Dallas, Texas; Juliana Maglathlin of
Rockville, Maryland; Stephen Puksta (and Teri) of Nashua, NH; Frederick
Puksta (and LeeAnn) of Keene, NH; Alexander Puksta (and Christine) of No.
Charlestown, NH; and David Puksta (and Helena) of Nashua, NH. His
grandchildren are: Monica; Nate; Becca; Katie; Vic; Matt; John; Taylor;
Grace; Liam; Michael; Audrey; Dominic; Autumn; and Cheyenne.
Charlie was the youngest of five children. His siblings were: John Puksta
and Amelia Osgood of Claremont and Mary Ekdahl, of East Hartford, Conn. He
is survived by his sister, Kay White, of Windsor, Vt.
Friends may call at the Stringer Funeral Home, 146 Broad St., Claremont, on
Thursday, Sept. 1, from 2-8PM. A mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated
Friday, Sept. 2 at St. Joseph Church at 10:00 AM. Interment will follow in
St. Mary's Cemetery. The family suggests donation may be sent to the St.
Joseph Church Building Renovation fund, P.O. Box 824, Claremont, NH 03743.
The following services clubs are scheduled to have services at the Funeral
Home on Thursday evening: The Kiwanis Club at 4:30 PM, the Knights of
Columbus Council #1820 with Father Stan at 6:30 PM, the Benevolent and
Protective Order of Elks Lodge #879 at 7:00 PM, the American Legion Post #29
at 7:30 PM and the Knights of Columbus Fourth Degree will have an honor
guard from 6 to 8 PM and also for the Mass at St Joseph Church at 10 AM on
Friday.