DOVER- Charles Jennison Nafie Sr., 82, died Saturday, September 4, at Southwestern Vermont Medical Center in Bennington, surrounded by his family. He was born November 30, 1927, in Norwich, CT, and moved to Vermont in 2004. He is the son of the late Harold and Edith Nafie and was the youngest of three brothers.

He attended Norwich Free Academy and then served in the U.S. Marines during World War II. After his discharge, he was employed by Electric Boat in Groton, CT, for 37 years, and retired as a design supervisor in 1991. An outstanding athlete while attending NFA, he also played football for the US Marines and the semi-pro Norwich Bulldogs.

His community service included performing in the Norwich Barbershoppers and numerous community theater productions throughout southeastern Connecticut. His powerful bass-baritone voice was instrumental in gaining leading parts in many community playhouse performances, such as South Pacific, Damn Yankees, Show Boat, Oklahoma, and Man of La Mancha. He was very active in the Rose Arts Festival and City of Norwich youth football and baseball organizations. He also had a passion for boxer dogs, which he raised, showed, and bred for many years. Mr. Nafie was also a member of Park Congregational Church.

He is survived by his wife Brenda Nafie, his son and daughter-in-law, Charles and Kim Nafie, of New York, NY; daughter and son-in-law, Tonya Strong and Robert Duprey, of Brattleboro; granddaughters Mahala Saltzman and Gabrielle Nafie; and numerous nieces and nephews whom he loved very much.

Mr. Nafie was preceded in death by his first wife of 26 years, Joan Carroll Nafie; an infant child; and his brothers Eugene Nafie and Carl Nafie.

Calling hours and service were held Thursday, September 9 at Church and Allen Funeral Home in Norwich, CT. Burial took place at St. Mary’s & Joseph’s Cemetery in the Greenville section of Norwich immediately following the service.