Charles W. (Chuck) Dolby, Sr.

Charles W. “Chuck” Dolby, Sr., 95, of Greenfield, MA passed peacefully on the morning of March 14, 2018 holding the hands of two daughters and the hearts of his wife, his other children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren.

     Chuck was born, October 16, 1922 to Edward Bertram and Jesse Elizabeth (Chase) Dolby in Great Barrington, MA. After graduating from Searles High School in 1940, Chuck was recruited to University of Massachusetts (UMASS) on a basketball scholarship, where he enrolled in the School of Agriculture. While at UMASS he was asked to try out for the swim team, a good decision, as he broke the school record in the freestyle.

     In 1941 Chuck proudly enlisted in the Navy during WWII. He served as an electrical engineer aboard the USS Dortch.

     Returning from the Navy, he married the love of his life, his high school sweetheart, Shirley on March 2, 1946. He went to work and became partner in the family business, E.B. Dolby Florist, Inc. His love of flowers and dedication to his clientele resulted in him being one of the most sought after florists in Berkshire County. Chuck and Shirley worked together in the family business while raising six children until they retired. Two of these children carried on the florist business.

     They began their retirement days in both Nokomis and Venice, Florida where lots of their friends and family, including grandchildren and great grandchildren came to visit. Chuck and Shirley moved to the Arbors, an assisted living facility in Greenfield, MA in 2014, to be closer to family members. They quickly adapted to this new lifestyle of living, made it their “home”, and made new friends in an environment of caring assistants and caregivers.

     Chuck spent his final months at Charlene Manor where he was known for his kind smile and constant “thank you”s. The staff recognized him as their special angel and treated him with tender care. His smiles were infectious and remembered by all.

     Chuck was the most humble, generous and kind man. He treated everyone with love and respect. He greeted everyone with the same smile and adoration whether you were his family or a perfect stranger. He loved animals, people, flowers, sports and plants. In short, he loved life. He had many lessons on life, he taught us: always smile; say “thank you”; love and respect everyone; be in the moment; and be kind. In his own words he would say: “100 years from now…you will never know the difference; you win some-you lose some; who has more fun than people; you can fix almost anything with tape and wire; you’ll get used to it; and everything will be okay”.

     Chuck leaves behind his wife of 72 years, Shirley H. Dolby, of Greenfield, MA, three sons; Charles “Chick” Dolby Jr. and wife Carol of Denver, CO, Richard Dolby and wife Kathy of Niceville, FL, Wayne Dolby and Lynne Pino of Great Barrington, MA, three daughters; Deb Sigsworth and husband Zeke of Greenfield, MA, Liz Dolby and husband Tony Wonseski, Jr. of Greenfield, MA, Sue TenBroeck and husband Robert of Great Barrington, MA, ten grandchildren; Nicole, Danielle, Adam, Keith, Sharon, Brian, Zachariah, Joshua, Stephanie, Monique and bonus grandchild Lauren, a multitude of great grandchildren and “bonus great grandchildren”, his personal caregivers and all of “Charlie’s angels” at the Arbors and Charlene Manor.

     In lieu of flowers, we ask you to pick one of his life’s lessons listed above and act on it today. This act will help us to preserve and expand the legacy of the man who many, is thought of as the perfect person. We will miss him terribly.

     A Celebration of Life service will be held at a future date in accordance with the families’ wishes.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Charles W. (Chuck) Dolby, Sr., please visit our floral store.