Charles M. Sontheimer, 93, of Troy, died on Friday, April 15, 2016 at Samaritan Hospital in Troy following a brief illness. Born in Watervliet, NY on November 15, 1922, he was the son of Charles M. Sontheimer and Agnes Wall. He attended Watervliet High School and then proudly served his country with the United States Army during WW-II from 1941-1945. He achieved the rank of Sergeant, was a Pearl Harbor survivor and the recipient of the American Defense Medal with a Bronze Star, World War II Victory Medal, Asiatic-Pacific Service Medal and the Good Conduct Medal. On April 29, 1951 at St. Mary's Church in Troy, Charley married the love of his life Mary Rose Styno. They became inseparable for the next 60 years until her passing on March 18, 2010. Charley, in keeping with his self-less nature, was her caregiver at home in her final years.

Charley was a bricklayer and a 65 year skilled craftsman member of the International Bricklayers and Allied Craftworkers Union Local # 10 in Troy and # 2 in Albany. He served as President of Local #10 for many years as well as their Business Agent.

He was an avid trout fisherman and deer hunter and loved to fish the local streams in and around NY and Vermont. Along with his colleagues, friends, and his son Steve, he hunted in the Speculator, NY area of the Adirondacks for decades.

His true passion in life, however, was in the work he created as a bricklayer in and around the Capital District, and can be seen at any of the colleges, schools, hospitals, government buildings, factories, shopping centers and private residences. He had an amazing ability of being able to design and create unique and spectacular fireplaces and chimneys which also can be seen in and around the Troy area and beyond. He was fortunate to be able to continue his artistry with stone and brick projects into his late eighties, while he also enjoyed following the stock market, listening to music, becoming adept at the use of his computer, and watching "ball games" on tv, with beer in hand. His sense of humor prevailed into his final hours, and he truly believed a deep belly laugh was the key to a long life.

He was the loving father of Brigid Young and her husband Tim of North Greenbush,NY, Stephen Sontheimer and his wife Debbie of East Greenbush,NY and Michael J. Sontheimer and his wife Mary of Hyde Park,NY; cherished grandfather of Brianna Young, Brett Young, Stephen Sontheimer, Kyle Sontheimer, Alyssa Sontheimer, Marcella Sontheimer and Michael Sontheimer; and dear great grandfather of Dominic Sontheimer and Garrett Brennan. Also surviving are his sisters-in-law, Lee Styno and Doris Dayton as well as numerous nieces and nephews. Charley was pre-deceased by his brother, William Frances, who passed at age thirteen months

Visitation will be Tuesday, April 19 from 4-8 pm at Doran Funeral Home, 9 South Lake Ave., Troy. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Wednesday, April 20 at 10 am from Our Lady of Victory Church, 55 North Lake Ave.,Troy. Interment will follow with military honors in Gerald B.Solomon National Cemetery, 200 Duell Rd., Schuylerville,NY.

If so desired, memorial donations may be made in Charles' memory to Rensselaer County Unified Family Services Department for the Aging, Meals on Wheels Program, 1600 7th Ave #4, Troy,NY 12180 or Our Lady of Victory Church, 55 North Lake Ave., Troy,NY 12180.