Charles Edward Gifford

CHARLES EDWARD GIFFORD, 83, passed away from natural causes on July 27, 2026.  He was born in Old Town, Maine on May 16, 1943.  Charles or “Chuck” was a middle child with an older sister, Linda and a younger brother, Roger, who was his partner in crime growing up.  Linda would babysit her brothers and they would pay her back by stealing her doll’s head and hiding it.
Chuck graduated from Old Town High School in 1961.  After high school, he joined the Air Force and was posted to Fairbanks, Alaska.  He always said that Fairbanks made him feel at home.  After his tour of duty, Chuck returned home to Old Town and joined the Maine State Police as a Trooper with a duty post in Houlton, Maine.  He later joined the Federal Government as a Special Agent.  During his 29-year career he was posted to Boston, Bangor, Washington, DC and Arlington, Virginia.  He retired May 1, 1998.  Being 6’4”, with a booming voice, and a no-nonsense personality, Chuck was extremely good at his job.  During his career, he also completed a degree in Criminal Justice.
In his younger days, Chuck enjoyed hunting and fishing.  He was able to fix almost anything.  After he retired, he maintained a professional wood working workshop.  Many family members have heirlooms from his efforts.  Chuck had two homes with pools.  He enjoyed family time at the pool and loved to grill out.   He kept files of recipes and liked to try them out on the family.   
Chuck was preceded in death by his father, Bernard Gifford and his mother, Fern Gifford, sister Linda McDonald of Bucksport, Maine and brother Roger Gifford of Winterport, Maine.  Chuck was also preceded in death by his stepsons, Matthew Cline and Patrick Cline.
Chuck is survived by his wife of thirty-six-years, Judith, sons, Charles B. Gifford, Andrew Gifford (Kristin), and Adam Gifford (Laura) of Fredericksburg, Virginia.  He is survived by his daughter, Lissa Karlgaard (Christopher) of Williamsburg, Virginia.  Chuck’s grandchildren, who will dearly miss him are Michael Gifford and Madelynn Gifford of Fredericksburg, Virginia; Natalie Cline of Irvington, Alabama; and Scarlett Cline of Chesterfield, Virginia.  Chuck is also survived by brothers-in-laws, Jim McDonald of Bucksport, Maine; Stuart Davis (Linda) of Spokane, Washington; Devery Davis (Sandra) of Panama City Beach, Florida; sisters-in-laws Maria Gifford of Phippsburg, Maine; Charisse Davis of Edmond, Oklahoma; nieces Marissa Phillips (Matthew) of Edmond, Oklahoma; Kelly Brown (Shawn) of Bradley, Maine; Karen Morin (Chris) of Holden, Maine; and Sherri Baubonis (Rich) of Bucksport, Maine.  Chuck is also survived by numerous grand-nieces and grand-nephews.  
The family will receive friends from 7 PM to 8:30 PM on Tuesday, August 4, 2026 at Monaghan Funeral Home, 7300 Creighton Parkway, Mechanicsville, VA.  
The family would like to thank special friends; Bill and Mary Busch, Carol Brouwer and the Villa Green gang.  Also, the family is grateful to the VCU Hospice Team who provided care to our husband and father.  We would not have made it otherwise.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you consider a donation to Chuck’s favorite charity, St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital at https://stjude.org 

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