Charles E. Woods Jr.

Charles (Charlie) E. Woods, Jr. passed away on July 18, 2017 surrounded by his family.

Charlie was born August 17, 1931 to the late Charles and Blanche (Hunter) Woods. He was a lifelong resident of Hollis, NH. He graduated from Hollis High School in 1949. He served in the U.S. Army from 1952-54; that included a tour in Korea. In 1954, he married Norma Jambard and together they built a life filled with animals, music, travel, and laughter. Their door was always open to family, friends, and neighbors for a cup of coffee, a glass of wine after 5, and conversation.

For the majority of his working life, Charlie was a route salesman for the UniFirst Uniform Corporation in Nashua, NH. For many years, he served as a union steward for his union local.

Upon his retirement in 1990, he was able to devote his time to his love of music. As an accomplished tuba player, Charlie was a member of several area bands. It was during his high school years he became interested in music when the Hollis Church School Band was formed. Charlie decided to try out the tuba and joined the band which later became known as the Hollis Town Band. Charlie remained an active member of the band for many decades.

Every Memorial Day, Charlie could be found on the street marching with the American Legion Band. During the summer months, Charlie spent his Thursday evenings on the bandstand in Townsend, MA with the Townsend Military Band. As a member of the Amherst Town Band, Charlie toured England and Wales.

Due to his love of Dixeland music, Charlie formed the Hollis Dixeland Band. He was proud that they were in demand to play concerts, weddings, and funerals. The Hollis Dixeland Band became a favorite in many area parades in their horse-drawn wagon.

Charlie will be remembered for his good nature. He was gracious to all he met-able to put everyone at ease with his good humor and story-telling. He was a true New Englander-proud of his ability to fix most things himself. He also never turned down the opportunity to take a cross-country road trip.

Charlie was predeceased by Norma, his beloved wife; his brother Arthur Woods; brothers-in-law Robert McShea and Raymond Kecy, and nephew Timothy McShea.

Charlie is survived by his daughters Peggy Woods and her husband Raymond Cusson of Shutesbury, MA and Angela Miner and her husband Alan Miner of Hollis, NH; his granddaughter Jillian Almeida and her husband Joseph Almeida of Loudon, NH; great-grandchildren Lucas Almeida and Ivy Almeida of Loudon, NH; his sisters-in-law Lorraine McShea of Hollis, NH, Carole Jambard-Sweet and her husband Douglas Jambard-Sweet of Maumee, OH, and Elizabeth Woods of Hollis, NH; and his brother-in-law Thomas Jambard and his wife Nancy Jambard of Hollis, NH. He will be fondly remembered by many nieces and nephews.

A Celebration of Life for Charlie and Norma Woods will be held on Saturday, August 26th from 2:00-4:00pm at the Lawrence Barn in Hollis, NH. For those wishing to remember Charlie are asked to make donations to the Hollis Town Band’s Charlie Woods Service Award. When Charlie put his tuba down due to health reasons in 2010, his family founded this award to honor not only Charlie’s love of music, but his active participation as a band officer. Please send donations to the Hollis Town Band, Box 481, Hollis, NH 03049. Please make checks payable to the Hollis Town Band and indicate the donation is for the Charlie Woods Service Award.