Jan 29, 2014

WWII veteran was active and independent

Charles Arden Eustis, 91, passed away Tuesday, January 28, 2014, in Bassett Hospital in Cooperstown, N.Y.

He was born October 16, 1922, in Whitney, a son of Albert and Vista White Eustis. He was raised in southwestern Pennsylvania, and graduated from Washington High School in 1940.

Mr. Eustis was married to Shirley Haught in 1947. Their happy marriage lasted 53 years until her death in 2000.

Immediately after graduating from high school, he began work as an automobile mechanic.

Drafted into the U.S. Army in November 1942, he served in the 94th Division as a wire man, attaining the rank of corporal. His service awards included the Expert Infantry Badge, the Presidential Unit Service Medal, Bronze Star with Gold Leaf Cluster, the Combat Infantry Badge, the European Theater Medal with four combat stars, the Good Conduct Medal and the Medal of Occupation in Germany. After his discharge, he received a medal from the Province of Normandy and a medal for the Cold War occupation of Czechoslovakia.

Following World War II, Mr. Eustis returned to his job in Washington, but soon after took a position as an automobile insurance claims adjuster. He relocated to Yonkers, N.Y., in 1954, and subsequently was employed as managing editor of automotive repair manuals for Hearst Corp. He retired in 1986.

As young adults, he and his wife built a house in West Nyack, N.Y. Mrs. Eustis worked as a nurse and they raised their sons, Harold and Gary.

Mr. Eustis was very active in community life, serving as president of the boards of the West Nyack Library and West Nyack Little League.

He was strongly committed to his church, serving as deacon and elder in both the Chapel in Yonkers and the Clarkstown Reformed Church in West Nyack.

In 1989, he and his wife relocated to Delhi, N.Y. At that time, he became very involved in the Donald W. Gleason American Legion Post 190. In 2010, he was honored to receive the French Legion of Honor medal, presented at the French Embassy in New York City. He was also selected by New York State Senator John Bonacic to receive recognition in the New York State Senators Veterans Hall of Fame.

Mr. Eustis was fortunate to remain active and independent throughout his life. In retirement, he built beautiful dollhouses, which were replicas of homes he loved. He and his wife took their camper across the country and enjoyed a trip to Europe, to revisit places he had seen in the war. He pursued the study of both World War II history and the Eustis family genealogy, providing his relatives with an extensive family tree. He was an avid coin collector and especially enjoyed being outside on his lawn mower.

Mr. Eustis had great respect for the American flag and its presentation in the community. He also was a tireless advocate for the restoration and care of local cemeteries.

He was a loving and devoted husband, father and grandfather.

Deceased are his siblings; wife Shirley; and a son, Gary.

Surviving are a son, Harold, daughter-in-law, Jane Curley and grandson Colin, all of Delhi; stepgranddaughter Emily of Zaragoza, Spain; and many nieces and nephews.

Friends are invited to greet the family from 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday in MacArthur Funeral Home, Delhi, N.Y. A service will take place at 11 a.m. Monday, February 3, in First Presbyterian Church, Delhi, with the Rev. Sarah Hooker officiating. Burial will take place in the spring in Woodland Cemetery, Delhi. Contributions in his memory are asked to be made to First Presbyterian Church of Delhi, Donald W. Gleason American Legion Post 190, or O’Connor Hospital. Those who wish to share condolences or a special memory may do so at www.macarthurfh.com. Arrangements are with MacArthur Funeral Home, Delhi.