Age 28. 247 Washington Street (Winchester Arms), Winchester, MA. Born on 7/24/1914, Chicago, IL. Died of carbon monoxide poisoning (death certificate). Eastern manager, Reed Candy Co., of Chicago, IL. Known as "Bob." Wife Gladys, age 29, also died. Couple was in a party of five with Mr. and Mrs. Lee and Pauline Saunders, ages 27 and 28 respectively, also of Winchester, and Mrs. Edith Vucassovich, age 41, of Beverly, MA, all dead. The husband of Mrs. Vucassovich, Michel P., age 61 (Born 3/22/1881. Died 3/16/1962, Meadowbrook, PA, age 80), was away on government assignment in Washington, DC. Couple was relocated from Illinois to Winchester 18 months prior (former address: 121 South Elmwood Avenue, Oak Park, IL). The Winchester Star, 12/04/1942: "Robert B. Charles and his wife...went in to the Cocoanut Grove to enjoy an evening of relaxation, their first after Mr. Charles' return from an extended business trip." Chicago Daily Tribune, 11/30/1942): "Charles and his wife, the former Gladys Kahle...and their son...had just returned to the east from a visit here last week." Recalled decades later online (in November 2012): "Bob Charles was my father's...best friend. They grew up in Oak Park, IL, together...On November 14th...Bob was to have been my dad's best man..." (cocoanutgrovefire.org). The couple had to decline because of Mrs. Charles' advanced pregnancy. One of 60 "probable identifications" inventoried by Boston City Hospital on Sunday morning at Southern Mortuary in Boston (all male). Survived by a 6-year-old stepson Robert, Jr. (known as "Chickie"). Was recognized in Winchester as an expert tennis player. With his wife were two of nine Grove victims from the Mystic Valley suburb of Winchester. Both the Illinois and Bay State addresses above were included on the final official November 1943 Boston Committee on Public Safety list of casualties. The above candy maker (acquired by Lorillard in 1962 then passed through several owners) was known for its namesake "Reed's" butterscotch hard candy, produced for decades after by successors. Parents Mr. and Mrs. William R. and Maud L. (Charlton) Charles, same Oak Park, IL, address. Burial with his wife at Forest Home Cemetery, Oak Park, IL. Middle name Beverly.

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