Obituary of Charles J. Blakeslee

Dr. Charles Joseph Blakeslee, 92, passed away peacefully on January 25, 2021 at UPMC Jamestown, NY. Dr. Blakeslee was born on January 13, 1929 to Joseph and Harriet Blakeslee in Kenmore, NY. He and his beloved wife, Margaret Dzupin, married on August 9, 1952 and celebrated their 68th anniversary in 2020. He is survived by his wife Margaret, his children Terese (Garry) Mathewson and her twin brother, Robert Charles Blakeslee, and a daughter Valerie (Dudley) Cullum. Also five grandsons: Major Robert (Lindsay) Mathewson, Lee (Charity) Mathewson, Matthew (Jacqueline) Cullum, Jacob (Jaimie) Blakeslee, and Isaiah Charles Cullum. And nine great grandchildren: Jayce, Raelyn and Wyatt Mathewson, Aiden and Oliviana Mathewson, Landon and Eloise Cullum, Keston and Olivia Blakeslee. Charles, an honor student, graduated from Kenmore West High School, Buffalo State College with a B.S. and M.S. and also from State University of New York at Buffalo with an Ed. D. (Doctorate in Education Administration) with honors. In his early career, he taught in Valley Stream, Long Island and in Kenmore, NY. He served as school principals and then became Superintendent in charge of curriculum and administration of the Kenmore-Town of Tonawanda School District, NY, prior to his retirement in 1990. He served in the NY National Guard and the US Army as a sergeant in the 2nd Armored Cavalry during the Korean War. Dr. Blakeslee is the great grandson of Dr. Amos Cranmer Blakeslee, a Yale graduate, who was a surgeon in the Civil War. In retirement, Charles was a member of the Fluvanna Community Church in Jamestown and served as an Elder, Deacon, Trustee, on many boards, committees and programs. Charles is a member of the American Legion. In addition to honorary memberships, he served as president of the Kenmore Teachers Association, Ken-Ton Administration and the president of the University at Buffalo Society of Administrators. In retirement, Charles served as Vice President of Harvest Hands Ministries, with founders Garry and Terese Mathewson. In earlier years he was a camp counselor and taught horseback riding. A walk-through visitation will be held from 11 am to 2 pm Friday in the Lind Funeral Home. The funeral will be held at 2 pm Saturday in Fluvanna Community Church Charles dedicated his life to serving his Savior Jesus Christ. He enjoyed his profession of teaching, especially young children, elementary principal ships and working with teachers. With his family he enjoyed sports, traveling, camping, gardening and home building. He is loved dearly and will be greatly missed by all. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be donated to the Fluvanna Community Church building fund. You may leave words of condolence at www.lindfuneralhome.com.