Our Dad and Grandfather, Charles Simpson climbed his final mountain on Friday morning 2 February 2018 at 1144 am. He was 81 years old and lived a full and remarkable life. He was born on March 2, 1936 in Andover MA. He graduated from The University of New Hampshire where he received an undergraduate degree in Forestry. He dreamed of being a forest ranger and loved the woods, mountains, and all the creatures of the earth... save one. Later in life he developed an unnatural distain for squirrels which constantly ransacked his numerous bird feeders. Charlies dream of a carefree life was put on hold when he met the love of his life, my mother. He and my mother were married in August 1961 and have been together for 56 years. Together they had four children: Mark, Christopher, Jennifer, and Jonathan. His children, daughter-in-laws, his god-daughter Amy and several of his grandchildren were with him and my mother when he passed. Our parents moved to West Concord in 1967 and have lived in that little house on Edgewood Road for 51 years. My father was an avid hiker, Boy Scout leader, historian, and gardener. He spent 20 + years as scoutmaster of several Boy Scout troops in Concord. He could often be found leading the annual "50 miler" hikes for two weeks every summer through the White Mountains of New Hampshire, numerous canoeing trips, Deep Freezes, Polar Bears and sled runs. Besides my mother, nothing made him happier than to be exploring the wild places of New England with his boys and grandchildren. A member of the Warner's pond committee, he advocated for the restoration and clean up of this beautiful area of West Concord that was once a town dumping ground. Through years of talking and meeting with many of the town "old timers" over coffee and muffins, he managed to gather an eclectic and unique collection of photos and stories from West Concords earlier days. For those who knew him, he had an amazing garden and lawn. Two things that were a great source of pride for him. Over the years many of us literally received hundreds of plants flowers and bulbs from him as he trimmed, split, and meticulously managed his gardens and flower beds. Of course he would let us know (with a twinkle in his eye) that it was all my mothers doing. While my fathers "career" was unremarkable by most modern standards, he had a perspective about the important things in life that few men master. We always had what we needed. Family was always first. We, his children, never doubted that. We ask our fathers friends and family to celebrate his life with us this week. Visiting hours will be held on Tuesday, February 6th from 4 to 8 pm at the Dee Funeral Home, 27 Bedford Street, Concord Center. A funeral Mass will be celebrated on Wednesday, February 7th at 10:30 am in Holy Family Parish, Monument Square, Concord Center. In lieu of flowers, contributions in his memory may be made to Boy Scouts of America, http://aplacetogive.scouting.org