The Honorable Charles W. Trombly, Jr.'s Obituary
The Honorable Charles W. Trombly, Jr. (84) died peacefully on May 23rd after a long illness. A lifelong resident of North Andover, communicant of St. Michael Parish, and dedicated (if oft-frustrated) Red Sox fan, Charlie graduated from North Andover High School (1958), the College of the Holy Cross (1962), and Suffolk University Law School (1965). A consummate public servant, Charlie devoted his professional life to the Land Court department of the Massachusetts Trial Court, beginning his career there as an assistant clerk. He was appointed to serve as the court’s Recorder (clerk-magistrate) by Governor Dukakis in 1985, and by Governor Swift in 2002 to serve on the bench. As much as he contributed to it, the Land Court contributed as much to Charlie: it was there that he met his wife, the former Mary R. Johannesen.
Charlie was predeceased by his parents, Atty. Charles W. Trombly, Sr. and Margaret R. (Shannon) Trombly; his siblings, Dennis M. O’Neil and Atty. Mary E. (Trombly) DeFrancisco; his nephew, Martin R. DeFrancisco; his sister-in-law, Nancy Parks O’Neil; his parents-in-law, Erling J. Johannesen and Catherine A. (Foley) Johannesen; and his brother-in law, Roy C. Johannesen.
He is survived by his wife of nearly fifty-six years, Mary Jo; his sons, Charles W., III (“Chuck”), Christopher E. (Chinh Duong), and Matthew E. (Funda); and his cherished grandchildren, Malika and Ali. Charlie is also survived by his much-loved siblings, Atty. Joseph S. Trombly (Atty. Elaine Farrell), Robert M. Trombly (Judy Jensen), Dr. Kevin L. Trombly (Maureen R.), Peter T. O’Neil, Atty. Margaret S. Trombly, Barry F. O’Neil (Deborah E.), and Ellen M. (Trombly) Gold (Dr. Samuel), as well as by his brother-in-law, Atty. Mark J. DeFrancisco (Janet Arnold), and sister-in-law, Sheila (Katz) Johannesen. Additionally, Charlie leaves many adored nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Visiting hours will be held from 4:00 until 8:00pm on Thursday, May 29th at John Breen Memorial Funeral Home, 35 Merrimack St., North Andover, MA 01845. A funeral mass will be celebrated on Friday, May 30th at 10:00am at St. Michael Church, 196 Main Street, North Andover, MA 01845.
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