Charles E. Prinn III ’61 died on October 22, 2021, in Portland, Maine
(The following was provided by the Maine Sunday Telegram on October 31, 2021
Charles E. Prinn III ’61
YARMOUTH – Charles E. Prinn III was born in Rumford on January 19, 1940, and passed away on October 22, 2021, from injuries sustained in a fall.
Charles was the second of five children of Charles E. Prinn, Jr., and Katherine Samways Prinn. He was educated at St. Athanasius by the Sisters of Mercy and at Stephens High School. While at Stephens High School, he was class president, a member of the National Honor Society, and served on the student council. He lettered in football, basketball, baseball, and track, earning All-State honors in football and held the school record for the 100-yard dash.
Entering Bowdoin College on a State of Maine scholarship, he was a Dean’s List student, a member of Psi Upsilon fraternity, and graduated in 1961 with a B.A. in economics. He was very active in alumni activities, serving on the Alumni Council, acted as class agent for forty years and was class reunion chairman for fifty-five years. He received the Alumni Service Award, the Robert Cross Award, and also the Polar Bear and Foot Soldier Awards. Most recently he was responsible for co-chairing the Alumni Early Chow speaker and luncheon series.
Charlie was active in Yarmouth Little League, and youth hockey while his sons were young. He was a long-time member of the Portland Country Club, where he served as chair of the membership committee for many years. Other civic and charitable activities included two terms as board member and treasurer of 75 State Street in Portland and president of Portland Provident Association for fifty years. He served on the Diocesan Finance Council of the Catholic Diocese of Maine for ten years and chaired its investment committee. He also was a trustee of St. Joseph’s College for ten years, and was board chairman. He received the Immaculate Conception Medal and the Diocesan Community Service award. Additionally, he assisted the Sisters of Mercy in its transitional planning between 1999 and 2005.
He was employed by UNUM in its Investment Division for thirty years. Upon retirement in 1995, he joined JB Brown and Sons, a private real estate company, where he was president, and also president of its affiliate, Fore River Warehousing Company. He retired in January 2005, and continued to serve on the board.
The most important things to Charlie were his family, his friends and his faith. He was a supportive and encouraging father to his children, always available to listen and talk. He loved his three grandsons and shared a special and close relationship with each of them, whether he was following the sports of Sam and Oliver or learning the back-stories of Atticus’ theater roles. He loved spending time with them – on the golf course, drinking Arnold Palmers, eating peanut M&Ms and telling stories. Charlie was a master storyteller, with his quick wit and attention to detail. He could entertain any audience, large or small. He had an incredible memory and was terrific at giving toasts or sharing celebratory poems and prayers. He was fabulous at connecting with people and made it a priority to stay in touch with all of his family and friends. His frequent phone calls allowed him to remain connected to all of the important people in his life. His friends called him the glue that held everyone together.
Charlie always found the best in every situation. Even after losing his vision in 2004, he refused to let his quality of life diminish; traveling with his college friends to play golf each year, taking OLLI adult education courses at USM, participating in book clubs, meeting with the Know-Nothings, and serving for multiple organizations. His brain was a sponge, constantly adding new information. He always amazed his family by recalling a phone number, answering obscure trivia questions, and solving the crossword and Jumble. He jokingly called his mind, “a steel trap.”
Charlie was a Renaissance man in a bow tie. He was athletic, intelligent, genuine, funny and loyal. He had a knack for keeping people connected, was a top-notch trip planner, and was always the life of every party. Charlie particularly enjoyed hosting the New Year’s Day gathering each year – where he loved to dress in costume to greet his guests with laughter and a smile.
Charlie was one of those rare people revered by all who knew him. He was considered a best friend to many. He will be missed by all those in his family, in the business world and on the golf course as well. He conducted his life with wonderful humor, wit and grace and was loved by all.
He was predeceased by his son, Christopher, in January 2021.
He is survived by his wife of fifty-seven years, Frances Emerson Prinn; his daughter, Elizabeth Manganello, husband Ed and son Sam of Falmouth; son, Charles of Westbrook; and his daughter-in-law, Jennifer, and sons Oliver and Atticus, of Yarmouth. He is also survived by his four siblings, Michael of Needham, Mass., Stephen of Westwood, Mass., Jane of Newton, Mass., and Richard of Chestnut Hill, Mass.; and many nieces and nephews.