Charles C. Connacher

Connacher, Charles C., 76, Cresson, passed away November 12, 2023 at the Hollidaysburg Veterans Home after his fight with Alzheimer's. Born March 3, 1947, Altoona, son of Fred R. and Camilla M. (Lantzy) Connacher. Preceded in death by his father, whom Charlie had always loved and admired. Survived by his mother, who continues to cherish the memories they shared together; 5 children, Curtis Connacher and wife, Zoe; Lisa McCarthy; Lynette Connacher; Christopher Connacher; and Craig Connacher and wife, Mary Katherine; 7 grandchildren, Evan, Kolby, Rebecca, Kayleigh, Eric, Luca and Cecelia; siblings, Cathleen Mikula and husband, Ed; Michael Connacher and wife, Marcie; Theresa McConnell and husband, Mark; and Kevin Connacher and wife, Cindy; many nieces and nephews; and many friends and family who will have several fond memories of him to look back and smile upon.. Charles proudly served in the United States Air Force in Vietnam as a weather observer. He had many fond memories of the friendships he made and of his time spent serving. Charles was a member of St. Francis Xavier Church. He will be remembered foremost for his sweet and gentle way, his kindness and generosity, followed closely by his love of ice cream and steam locomotives. He loved to pass time with many hobbies and interests including traveling on steam locomotive excursions with his family, particularly involving the locomotive Nickel Plate 765. Some of his other hobbies and interests were collecting antiques, taking and developing his own photographs, building telescopes to view the night sky, watching WWII bomber airplanes, restoring old Gravely tractors, and tinkering with small engines and on occasion an old radial airplane engine. He also spent much of his time volunteering at the St. Thomas Acquinas parish in Ashville. Above all, the activity he loved most was spending time with his family. His children loved to hear him laugh and act silly with him. His grandchildren loved to spend time with him and hear the goofy phrases he would say. He cherished that more than anything, especially his children and grandchildren and reminiscing with his siblings about their lives growing up together and the shenanigans they would get into. Friends and family will be received Thursday, November 16, 2023 from 2-4 & 6-8 p.m., Anderson Family Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 233 Keystone Ave., Cresson. A funeral Mass will be celebrated Friday, November 17, 2023 at 11 a.m., St. Francis Xavier Church, Cresson, Rev. Leo Arnone celebrant. Military honors will be provided by the Cresson American Legion, Sankertown VFW and other local military organizations. Burial St. Francis Xavier Cemetery, Cresson. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer's Association (www.alz.org). Arrangements have been entrusted to Anderson Family Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Cresson, "Honored Provider of Veterans Funeral Care™." Condolences may be made at AndersonFamilyFuneralHomes.com