Charles "Dick" Gidley was born in New Bedford, MA in 1915. He graduated from New Bedford High School continuing on to the Massachusetts Institute of Technology where he majored in Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering. While at college, he was on the All New England Lacrosse Team. He loved sports his entire life, was an avid Boston Red Sox fan and loved to spend a weekend playing tennis or downhill skiing in the mountains of New England. His entire career was focused on the ship repair business; 26 years with the Shipbuilding Division of Bethlehem Steel Company and 15 years with the Electric Boat Division of General Dynamics.

Dick was the husband to first wife M. Virginia, deceased, for 35 years and second wife, Phyllis, living, for 34 years. He is survived by his children Abigail Delano, Charles R. Gidley III and Deborah Alden; two stepchildren Brian Sousa and Karen Sousa; 6 grandchildren Jennifer Hendricks, Deborah Johnson, Daniel Gibson, Melissa Gibson, Lee Sousa and Nick Sousa and 6 great grandchildren.

Dick was an avid yachtsman; a charter member and Commodore of the North Carolina Yacht Club of Old Saybrook, CT. He was also a member of the Anchor Line Yacht Club in Rio, FL. Dick and Phyllis were active sailors who spent many happy summers cruising the Maine coast and taking winter trips with friends to the Virgin Islands.

He also had many other interests including acquiring a HAM radio license when he was in his 80's to assist in his role as a member of the Martin County Emergency Communications and in organizing a Hurricane Emergency Program for The Meadows Community where he lived. He also became fascinated in genealogy and was able to trace his lineage to his maternal ancestor Phillip Delano, who arrived in America aboard the vessel "Fortune" in 1621 and to Richard Warren who arrived on the Mayflower. He was a member of "The Mayflower Society" and volunteered at the Latter Day Saints Genealogy Center in Palm City and the Blake Library for many years. More recently Dick was an active member and volunteer with the Stuart Congregational Church, serving as a Deacon as well as President of the Men's Club.

Dick was kind and compassionate and was always ready with a good joke for any occasion. His fondest moments were the time he spent with his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren and his dog and delighted in sharing stories which poked fun at his own expense. He will be missed by the countless friends, pets and family he has touched.