Longtime Harvard resident, friend and mentor to many
Charles Brackett. (Courtesy photo)
Charles Frederick Brackett, 89, died Dec. 20, 2021, of COVID-19-induced complications. He was born April 18, 1932, in Boston to Alfreda C. and Raymond T. Brackett. He attended the Boston public schools and graduated from Hyde Park High School in 1949. In 1950 he enlisted in the U.S. Air Force where he served for four years and was honorably discharged in 1954, having attained the rank of staff sergeant.
He was employed as an electronic technician by MIT Lincoln Laboratory and worked on digital computer development and then transferred to MITRE Corporation as an engineering assistant working on classified radar processing systems. During this same time he attended night school at Northeastern University and obtained an associate degree in electronic engineering, as well as a bachelor’s and a master’s degree in business. After obtaining his MBA he moved into commerce, working for 20 years with United Fruit Company. His last job was as vice president of IS at Quabaug Corp. in North Brookfield; he retired in 1999.
Charles married Gloria A. Baravella in 1957. Married for almost 56 years before her passing in 2013, they had 13 children, 27 grandchildren, and six great-grandchildren. He was an exceptional father, not only to his own children but to many who considered him a father, grandfather, friend, mentor, or just one who would listen and pass on important lessons and wisdom from his rich human and spiritual experience. He loved his faith and made it something beautiful and attractive to others. As a young couple, he and his wife were involved in parish groups and in Pre-Cana work throughout the Archdiocese of Boston.
One of eight, he is survived by one brother, William Brackett of Apollo Beach, Florida; and by his children: Cynthia Brackett Mahoney of Crestview, Florida; Kirsten Brackett (Joseph Brideau) of Fitchburg; the Rev. Christopher Brackett, LC, stationed in Rome, Italy; Gregory Brackett (Tessa Lawrence) of Harvard; Br Peter Brackett, MICM, of Still River; Daniel Brackett (Rachel Wilde) of Lunenburg; Maria Brackett of Herndon, Virginia; Martha Brackett (Marc Frushell) of Gardner; Br Anthony Brackett, MICM, of Still River; Matthew Brackett of Sterling; Miriam Brackett (José Adolfo Santos) of Wake Forest, North Carolina; Joseph Brackett, of Leominster; Grace Brackett (Fernando Gallegos) of Sterling; Elise Gedansky of Boston, a foster daughter, as well as his 27 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.
Visitation was held Wednesday, Dec. 29, 2021, at the Immaculate Heart of Mary School gymnasium, 271 Still River Road, in Harvard. A requiem Mass was celebrated Dec. 30, 2021, at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church in Clinton. Burial was at Bellevue Cemetery, Harvard.
