Charles K. Elsesser died July 26, 2017 unexpectedly at his home in Gaylordsville, CT.
Born in Massapequa, NY, the beloved son of Henry and Emily Korth Elsesser. He moved to CT when he was 12 and graduated from Bethel high school. He went to UCONN for 1 year before entering the Marines during the Korean War. He was in the FMF Reconnaissance Company and was an expert rifleman. After an honorable discharge, he re-entered UCONN receiving a BS in biology and an MS in Education, and a 6th year at Fairfield University. Charles taught biology at Danbury High School for 35 years, retiring in 1995. He loved animals and animal behavior and spent 11 summers in Africa on photo safaris. At home he had a menagerie of dogs, cats, and parrots. He was an avid runner completing 2 NYC marathons. He loved cooking for his family, lobsters on sale and a nighttime glass of Macallen.
He is survived by his loving wife of 42 years Dayle, his former wife Maryann Dowling, his brother Harry and his wife Joann Elsesser, and his children Katherine Elsesser, Korth and Tony Elsesser, Karin Shetler and Kurt Elsesser, 7 grandchildren, 1 great grandchild and several nieces and nephews.
A mass of Christian burial will be celebrated on Monday July 31, 2017 at 10:00am at Sacred Heart Church in Kent, CT. The interment will follow in Morningside Cemetery in Gaylordsville, CT. Friends may call at 58 Bridge Street, New Milford, CT, on Sunday July 30, 2017 from 2:00pm to 5:00pm.
Contributions in his memory may be made to the Wounded Warrior Project, P.O. Box 758517, Topeka, KS, 66675 or Sharon Audubon Center, 325 Cornwall Bridge Rd., Sharon, CT 06069.
