STONINGTON — Charles Edward Bosley, 84, lately of Stonington, died peacefully March 19, 2011. Charles, known to his friends as Chuck, he lived in Shepherdstown, W.Va., from 1970 to 1995 and served as mayor of Shepherdstown for two terms (1972-1976), working hard for equity in the quality of living for all residents. He was born in Evanston, Ill., in November of 1926, and was raised in Milwaukee, Wis., where he lived with his mother, Alice (who lived in Shepherdstown, also in the 1980s) and an extended family of aunts, uncles and cousins. During World War II he served in the Navy on a hospital ship. After an honorable discharge, he moved to California, where he worked as the editor of the Contra Costa Times in Walnut Creek. He also served on Capitol Hill, working for U.S. Congressman Cohelan and for U.S. Sen. Engle, both of California. He worked tirelessly for civil rights and equality, including as lobbyist for disarmament and legal aid. He worked for the Agency for International Development in Quito, Ecuador (1965-1967), and was the Peace Corps director of Northeast Brazil (1967-1970).

He was preceded in death by his wife of 55 years, Marilea (Bonnie) Bosley. He leaves his four daughters, Doris Bosley Langley, three grandchildren, Jeffery, Timothy and Emily, and a great-grandchild, Lucius, all of Martinez, Calif.; Cassie Bosley and husband, Don Berry, two grandchildren, Morgan Condon and Severin Condon, and a great-grandchild, Wayland Bosley Norris, all of Shepherdstown, W.Va.; Priscilla Bosley Lynch and grandson, Charles Orion, of Shepherdstown, W.Va.; Martha Louden and husband, Kenny Louden, one grandchild Caitlin, all of Shepherdstown, W.Va.; and a dear friend and companion, Eileen Freeman of Trenton.

A memorial gathering of family and friends will be held Thursday April 7, 2011, from 7 to 9 p.m. in the War Memorial Building, Shepherdstown, W.Va. A memorial gathering will be held at Chuck’s home in Stonington at a time in the future to be determined. Condolences may be made online at www.bragdonkelley.com.