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302-478-7100 Wilmington & Hockessin, DE

Charles Brodigan

Charles Brodigan, age 89, of Wilmington, DE, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, January 27, 2021.

Born in Norwalk, CT in 1931, he was the son of the late Harriet (Dimond) and Francisco Brodigan. He grew up in New Haven, CT with his 3 brothers and cousin before moving with his family to Buenos Aries, Argentina where he completed high school. He returned to CT to attend Wesleyan University.

Upon graduating he proudly served as an Officer in the United States Marines and then continued his education and earned a Master’s Degree from Yale University. He began his career in Wilmington in 1959 at ICI Americas where he worked until his retirement in 1991.

Charlie was then free to spend his days focused on his true passion: Music.  He was an avid fan of opera, loved to sing, and was actively involved as a chorus member and set carpenter with Opera Delaware, The Brandywiners and The Arden Singers. Family and friends will remember that Charlie didn’t need a stage to perform. He took great pleasure in shamelessly belting out a song in the middle of a busy restaurant, party or even the grocery store.

As Charlie entered his later years he kept his mind active by attending classes at the Academy of Life Long Learning, watching baseball and enjoying all of those books he had been just too busy to read. He is survived by his daughter Pamela Markano and her husband James, daughter Penelope and son Kenneth.

Services will be private. If you would like to remember Charlie please consider a donation to The Grand Opera House 818 N. Market St., Wilmington, DE 19801.

The family would like to thank the staff at The Lorelton for all of their patience and kindness while caring for Charlie.

Funeral Services

Services will be private. If you would like to remember Charlie please consider a donation to The Grand Opera House 818 N. Market St., Wilmington, DE 19801.

Condolences

    Sally Hamburger writes,
    It was a joy and a privilege to know Charlie. We sang and worked and laughed together at OperaDelaware. Neither of us “suffered fools gladly” so I’m afraid they afforded us many merry hours. He will be much missed.
    02/01/2021 11:02 am
    Robert Grenfell writes,
    Charlie was a wonderful man—energetic, enthusiastic, hard working, committed to the arts and to OperaDelaware in particular. For decades, beginning in the days of the Wilmington Opera Society’s 1979 production of L’Elisir d’Amore, he and I shared the stage at the Grand as soldiers, peasants, courtiers or whatever else was needed. Wherever we met—at OperaDelaware’s studios, the Grand, Brew HaHa, the hardware store—he was the same hail, fellow, well met. The world needs more men like Charlie Brodigan. My sincere condolences to his family.
    02/01/2021 11:28 am
    Mary Wilcosky writes,
    Charlie was a godsend to me and OperaDelaware. A volunteer I could always count on to help with performances, events, and productions. I came to OperaDelaware as a part time worker in 2008, having moved to the area a couple of years before and Charlie was one of the first people I met at the organization. He had so much history with OD and while setting up a room for a concert or a party, he would tell me tales about all the people I had heard of or read about. I learned so much from him! And he was always looking to help improve what we did. When we first started concerts at our Riverfront Studio, Charlie came to me and said "I think we need someone to operate the elevator" and I am happy to do it. And he did for many years. Over the years, Charlie and I became good friends and I often went to dinner or a concert with him and Janet Dill in the years they were seeing each other. I am sure he is singing with the angels and regaling them with all his OperaDelaware stories. Rest in peace, dear Charlie. I will never forget you.
    02/04/2021 08:39 am
    Sid Hess writes,
    Charlie, Clarke Slade and I all started with Atlas Powder Co the same day in 1959. Although we never worked together, our paths crossed frequently. Years later when I was teaching at Wharton, Charlie took the reference call from duPont that brought be back to, by then, ICI . I'm ever grateful to him. After we both retired I enjoyed his company at the monthly Hideaway luncheon for us old-timers. Rest in peace old friend.
    02/08/2021 07:49 am
    Bob Marceluk writes,
    I had the pleasure of knowing Charlie both at his vocation at ICI and his avocation with Arden Singers. A true "Man of All Seasons" and a quiet intellect. I picture Charlie sitting and putting his elbow on his knee, his fingers on his chin and his head cocked slightly: At that moment I always knew that a great thought was about to emerge from his lips. Love you Charlie.
    02/08/2021 03:58 pm
    Susan Flook lit a candle and writes,
    I met Charlie at The Academy of Lifelong Learning (later known as OLLI) in a popular literature class. He was full of “joie de vivre”, made evident in his exuberant love of opera, literature, theater, and baseball, as I recall. We had many vibrant discussions in past years. I considered him a good friend. He will be missed. My deepest condolences to his family.
    02/19/2021 04:58 pm
    ED Lifset writes,
    I will always remember Charlie as a happy ,energetic and very friendly Member of the Gamma Phi chapter of Delta Kappa Epsilon Fraternity at Wesleyan University and lateral an offer in the United States Marine Corps. His vibrant personality and positive demeanor will be missed by his many friends.
    08/01/2021 01:21 pm

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