Charles P. “Chuck” Stephens

DELANSON – Charles Stephens of Delanson, NY, passed away on January 1, 2016 while on vacation in Panama with his son. Son of the late William Ellsworth Stephens and Barbara Walsh Stephens Nelson Hansen, Charles “You can name him whatever you want but I’m going to call him Chuck” Stephens was born in Kearny, New Jersey in January of 1950. Chuck graduated from Saugus, MA High School in 1968, and attended SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry for most of the 70’s. He was an avid member and E-room chair of the Syracuse University Outing Club, leading caving, canoeing, and hiking trips all over the country.

Chuck loved the outdoors, and was very active in the Boy Scouts for most of his life, achieving the level of Life Scout as a boy. Later, as a Scout Master of Troops 105 and 501 of Otschodela Council, he mentored countless scouts, including his son, Eagle Scout Ben Stephens. This past year, Chuck was awarded the prestigious Silver Beaver award, in recognition of his lifelong contributions to scouting.

He worked for the NYS Department of Civil Service as a database programmer/analyst for over 35 years. He was a voracious reader, a fierce supporter of science and reason, and he always voted Democrat. He could be cranky and taciturn, but was the most quietly caring and generous person you could ever meet. Chuck was always up for everything, whether it be a camping trip with his grandsons on short notice, or adventurously deep frying a turkey for his children. He knew absolutely everything, and once fixed a broken down car in a blizzard with a bra strap, just like MacGyver.

Chuck was a caring father to Eleanor and Benjamin, and a loving grandfather to his grandsons Maxwell and Theodore. He is survived by his children and grandsons, and siblings Barbara Nelson of Reykjavik, Iceland, and Mary-Ellen Jordan, Karen Lipiatos, Jennie Hansen, Jens Hansen, and Christian Hansen of Maine.  He will be deeply, deeply missed by his family and community.

A memorial service will be held in the Hans Funeral Home, 1088 Western Ave., Albany on Sunday, January 10^th at 12:30pm.  Relatives and friends are invited, and may call at the funeral home prior to the service from 10:30 am to 12:30 pm.  In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Chuck’s name to Otschodela Council of the Boy Scouts of America at: P.O. Box 1356 Oneonta, NY 13820, (607) 432-6491.  To leave a message of condolence for the family or obtain directions to the funeral home, please visitwww.HansFuneralHome.com.