Obituaries
Charlie Stead Sr. Was Berwyn Firefighter, Coach, Grandfather
Charlie Stead Sr. joined the Berwyn Fire Company when he was 19 and served as a member for 51 years.
![Berwyn Fire Company said goodbye to Charlie Stead Sr. who served for 51 years as a member.](https://patch.com/img/cdn20/shutterstock/24346758/20210209/014010/styles/patch_image/public/shutterstock-735558814___09134003629.jpg)
BERWYN, PA — The Berwyn Fire Company and the Tredyffrin/Easttown community said goodbye to Charlie Stead Sr., a member of the company for half a century, a graduate of Great Valley High School, a Little League coach, and a grandfather of five who died on Jan. 26 at 70.
"With heavy hearts, the members of the Berwyn Fire Company regret to announce the passing of Life Member Charles 'Charlie' Stead, Sr.," the fire company said on Feb. 5.
The Berwyn Fire Company posted the following account of the life and contributions of Charlie Stead to the company and community:
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"Charlie joined the Company at the age of 19 in 1970. He was a lifelong resident of Chester County. After growing up in Malvern and graduating from Great Valley High School, he would go on to work at Graphic Packing in Paoli for 31 years and held many titles throughout his career.
Charlie was a staple at the end of Central Avenue in the Village of Berwyn. He was very dedicated to the community, having served as a coach for nearly 20 years with the Berwyn-Paoli Area Little League and was an active parishioner at Saint Monica Church in Berwyn.
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During his 51 years of volunteer membership at the Berwyn Fire Company, Charlie served as an active firefighter and engineer up until the mid 2000's. He also served in key leadership roles as Assistant Chief and Chief Engineer for many years.
During the early 1990's, Charlie stepped up and served as Acting Fire Chief for a brief period. He was also a steady presence at the Devon Horse Show where he coordinated security and fire protection services during numerous events. He would also spend time as an engineer with the Paoli Fire Company as well.
Charlie's family has also provided many years of dedicated service themselves to the Berwyn Fire Company, including his wife Catherine 'Cathy' (Durante) as a fire police officer and business member and both of his daughters Julianne as an EMT and Helen as a firefighter.
He is survived by his beloved wife of 50 years, his sons Mitchell (Jennifer Sides), and Jonathan (Meagan Enderson), and his daughters Julianne (Rick) Jackson and Helen (Parker) Knight and soon to be daughter-in-law Katherine Tener, and his 5 grandchildren: Jocelyn Stead, Jack Stead, Taylor Sutton, Kennedy Jackson, Breeland Reese Stead, and Katelyn Tener.
Tragically, Charles 'Chucko' Stead Jr. also passed away unexpectedly the same day as Charlie. Chucko was a big supporter of the Berwyn Fire Company, regularly attending the Halloween Parade and Turkey Raffle with his family and donating cars for fire/rescue training.
Due to COVID-19 services will tentatively be held on May 22, 2021 weather permitting and the time will be determined. No other services are scheduled at this time. In lieu of flowers, donations are encouraged to Berwyn and Paoli Fire Companies in Charlie's memory.
Charlie will be remembered for his kindness and faithful service to the Berwyn Fire Company and to his neighbors in the T-E community."
A full obituary for Charlie Stead Sr. has been published here.
A full obituary for Charles 'Chucko' Stead Jr. has been published here.
With heavy hearts, the members of the Berwyn Fire Company regret to announce the passing of Life Member Charles K....
Posted by Berwyn Fire Company on Friday, February 5, 2021
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