Charles R. Hyde

November 14, 2011 

WATERTOWN, N.Y.  —  Charles R. Hyde, 91, Watertown, passed away on Monday, Nov. 14, at Samaritan Keep Home where he had been a resident since 2004. 

Born Feb. 4, 1920, in Watertown, a son of Albert C. Hyde and Ella Whalen Hyde, he graduated in 1938 from Watertown High School and Clarkson College in 1948. He joined the Navy Seabees in 1942 and served in Iceland, the Philippines and Okinawa during World War II. 

At Clarkson College, he was an active member of the Photo Club and his fraternity, Omicron Pi Omicron.  He served as assistant manager and manager of the hockey team. He was vice president and president of the Managers Club. As an alumnus of Clarkson College, he was a member of the Clarkson Roundtable, and was recognized by the Alumni Association in 1978 when he was a recipient of the Golden Knight Award, the association’s most prestigious award for an alumnus. Annually, he assisted with the Roundtable Phonathon, served as class reunion chairman and as a member of the Alumni Association’s Board of Governors and on the Constitutional Revision Committee. Regional Chairman for the Hank Hodge Completion Fund, he was instrumental in making the Schuler Recreation building a reality. He was honored in 1978 with the Arnold H. Barber Award.  

Charlie worked for his father in the family business, George H. Hyde , Inc. in Watertown and Potsdam and in 1973 established his own company, Charles R. Hyde, Inc. He sold the company in 1985 to Jay Stone and is now known as Hyde Stone Contracting. 

He was president of Watertown’s Examining Board of Master Plumbers, President of New York Plumbing, Heating and Piping Contractors, named Century Club Member/Canton College Foundation in 1987, and named Construction Man of the year by the Northern NY Builder Exchange, Inc. in 1980.   

After his retirement in 1985 he became Executive Director of the Brookside Cemetery. He was president of the NYS Association of Cemeteries 1997 to 1998, and the Jefferson County Association of Cemeteries and a member of the New England Association of Cemeteries.  During his presidency at the Brookside Cemetery, Brookside Crematory was established.  Also, the Henry Keep Mausoleum was repaired. Following his retirement from Brookside, he was honored by them with the dedication of the Charles R. Hyde Memorial Garden. 

Over the years Charlie gave unselfishly of his time to his community. He was a member of the Jefferson and Lewis County Boy Scout Council, for over 25 years and was awarded the Silver Beaver by the Boy Scouts of America, Seaway Council. 

Charlie was a life member of the Jefferson County Historical Society.  He was a member of the U. S. Postal Advisory Committee, a lifetime member of the American Legion Post 61. He served on the Board of Directors of the Samaritan Keep Home from 1980-88 and was president 1985 to 1988, a trustee of Brookside Cemetery, 1977-85. He was a member of the National Association of Purchasing Managers of Northern New York, serving as director and president, Board of Directors, director for National Affairs and served on the nominating, advisory and scholarship committees. He was awarded the Richard P. Keenan service award 1992.

Charlie joined the Watertown Rotary Club in 1951.  He was chairman of the club’s Inter-City Committee. He also served on Attendance, Vocational Guidance, Fund Raising and Physically Handicapped Committees. He was president 1987 to 1988 and secretary. Charlie was a Paul Harries Fellow. He attended Rotary International meetings in England and Scotland.  

His generosity included restoring Tiffany windows in his mother’s Presbyterian Church, Sackets Harbor, NY, support of the United Way and many other charitable organizations.  He was a member of the First Presbyterian Church, Watertown. 

He was an avid sailor and spent many years at his cottage on Guffin Bay. 

He enjoyed traveling abroad and throughout the United States. He and his wife, Marjorie enjoyed traveling and spent many winters in Florida. 

Surviving are his loving family, wife, Marjorie A. Hyde, Watertown; a daughter, Mary C. Hyde, (partner, Jill Fischer), Madison, WI; a sister, Catherine Locke, Kingston, N.Y.; a brother, David Hyde, Potsdam, N.Y.; step daughters and their husbands, Catherine (Cartin) and Jerry Reback, Cumming, Ga., Nancy (Cartin) and Paul Lightcap, Eagleville, Pa.; Margaret Trahan, long time friend and twin sister of Marjorie Hyde; several grandchildren and great-grandchildren; nieces and nephews.     

Two brothers, Robert and Albert Hyde, and his first wife, Mary Margaret Meylor Hyde, all died before him. 

A memorial service will be held 10 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 17, at First Presbyterian Church, 403 Washington St., Watertown, with Rev. Dr. Frederick Garry, pastor, officiating. There will be a reception following the service in the church fellowship hall.  

Contributions may be made in his memory to the Watertown Rotary Club, 200 Washington St., Watertown, NY 13601.