Charles Lee Quaintance left this world peacefully and surrounded by love at the home of his son and family in Lakeville, Connecticut on Monday, July 29, 2024. He was 90 years old.
Charles was born in New York City to Dr. Charles Lee Quaintance, a prominent surgeon and Elizabeth Coffey Quaintance. a nurse. Following the untimely death of his father of peritonitis when Charles was only 12 days old, Charles and his brother William were brought by their mother to Highland Falls, New York where her family resided. Charles attended Sacred Heart School and Highland Falls High School where he excelled in both football and basketball. He graduated from Manhattan College and earned his law degree at the University of Virginia in Charlottesville, Virginia. Charles served his country in the United States Army and was stationed in Germany for two years during the Cold War. He returned to Highland Falls and married his sweetheart, Inga M. Webster, who survives him. Their happy marriage spanned 62 years and they were blessed with two children, Charles Lee Quaintance III (known as Lee) of Lakeville, Connecticut and Elizabeth Catherine Quaintance of Naples, Florida. Charles is also survived by three grandchildren, Charles Lee Quaintance IV, Catherine Elizabeth Quaintance and John Henry Quaintance. He is also mourned by his daughter-in-law, Suzanne Dooley Quaintance of Lakeville, sisters-in-law, Sonja Suko (Larry) of Gilbert, Arizona, Virginia Grieb (Michael) of Goshen, New York and Marie Webster (Sammy) of Chester, New York and many nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, Charles was predeceased by his beloved Aunt Katie Coffey who helped raise him, his brother William, his mother-in-law, Hilde Webster and father-in-law, Charles Webster, both of Highland Falls, New York.
Charles was a partner in the law firm of Bassett and Quaintance in Highland Falls and, following the death of his partner, continued as a sole practitioner for the rest of his career. He served as Town Justice for the Town of Highlands for 20 years and was highly respected by his fellow justices and law-enforcement agencies throughout Orange County.
Charles was a very involved and present parent and grandparent and never missed an opportunity to show his love and support at their games, concerts and plays. Known as “Opa” not only to his family but to everyone who met him, Charles loved to find connections with people. He possessed an easy-going nature and great sense of humor so indeed Charles “never met a stranger.” In recent years, he and his wife Inga enjoyed life in Naples, Florida and he will be greatly missed by their large circle of friends.
Friends and family are invited to a Funeral Mass to be celebrated at St. Mary’s Church in Lakeville, Connecticut at 11:00 am on August 17, 2024 with a reception to follow. Ryan Funeral Home, 255 Main St., Lakeville, is in care of arrangements.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Salisbury Branch of Visiting Nurse and Hospice of Litchfield County www.vnhlc.org.
To offer an online condolence, please visit ryanfhct.com