Charles A. Atherton, 76, of Ashland, formerly of Concord, died peacefully on May 2, 2022 after a full and wonderful life. He was surrounded by the love and embrace of his devoted family during his final days. Charlie was born and raised in Cambridge, as the son of the late Henry and Barbara (Beach) Atherton. He attended Buckingham Browne & Nichols School, where he quickly found his first love - theater and performing arts. His education continued at Lake Forest College and University of Pittsburgh, before earning an MBA from New York University. Charlie developed a lifelong attachment to Hancock Point, Maine, spending part of every summer there along with his sisters, cousins and other relatives and friends. Charlie also enjoyed bringing his family, and later grandsons, to enjoy Maine as well. During his professional life, Charlie spent many years thriving in New York City, where he worked for Merrill Lynch and taught finance at Fordham University. Later, having returned to Massachusetts, he founded and operated his own investment business, The Atherton Company. In his final years, he taught as faculty member at Suffolk University in the finance department of the Business School. He was a proponent and innovator of online education. Continuing his love of theater and as member of The Screen Actors Guild, Charlie appeared in several off-Broadway plays, as well, a role as extra in The Godfather. He was very active with The Concord Players, where he could often be found backstage applying make-up. A faithful parishioner at Trinity Episcopal Church in Concord, Charlie offered his brilliant tenor voice as a member of the church choir, and served as a Lay Eucharistic Minister. Charlie was also a longtime member of the Concord Rod & Gun Club. For many years, he volunteered at the Concord Reformatory to educate younger inmates on personal financial knowledge. Charlie was the husband for 40 years to Susan (Salayka) Atherton, the loving father of Sarah Clarke and her husband Sean of Rutland, and the proud grandfather of Charles and Colin Clarke, who affectionately called him "Pops." He also leaves behind two beloved sisters, Margaret Atherton and her husband Bob Schwartz of Milwaukee and Frances Atherton of Bainbridge Island, WA, as well as his niece, Toby Schwartz, four nephews, Omar, Seth, Jeffrey and Marcus Woodworth, a grand-niece, Brianna, and a grand-nephew, Henry. Relatives and friends are invited to celebrate Charlie's life during a funeral service on Friday, June 3rd at 11 am at Trinity Episcopal Church, 81 Elm Street, Concord, MA, immediately followed by a reception in the parish hall and interment at Bellevue Cemetery in Harvard. For those who wish to attend the service remotely, please  click here to watch the church's livestream  . In lieu of flowers, contributions in his memory may be made to support Dana-Farber cancer research via the Pan-Mass Challenge organized by his daughter, Sarah, who will participate in this year's event. Please access one of the following links to donate:  Facebook Donation Page  Pan Mass Challenge Website  Arrangements are under the care of Dee Funeral Home & Cremation Service of Concord.