ONEONTA, NY – Charles W. England, son of Doris M. Cole was born December 22, 1944, in Quincy, Illinois. He passed away Sunday, January 11, 2009 at A.O. Fox Memorial Hospital in Oneonta, New York.

After graduation from the United Township High School in East Moline, Illinois, Chuck spent his undergraduate years at the University of Illinois, and Augustana College, in Rock Island, Illinois. He began studies as a chemistry/pre-law major, later switching to music education, with a tuba major and voice minor, graduating in 1967.

After a three year tour of duty in the United States Army Band ("Pershing's Own"), in Washington, DC, Chuck began his graduate studies at Yale University, earning a Master's Degree in Performance and Pedagogy in 1973.

Chuck was united in marriage to Janet Gowing on October 22, 1974 at the Augustana College Chapel in Rock Island, Illinois. To this union were born a son, Eli, and a daughter, Valerie. In 1974 Chuck moved to Oneonta, New York to become a member of the Catskill Conservatory and Catskill Brass Quintet.

Working as a freelance musician, Chuck served as a Lecturer in Music and Director of the Hamilton College Brass Choir (1978-2000), as well as Adjunct Professor of Music at Hartwick College. Chuck was principal tubaist with the Northeastern Pennsylvania Philharmonic and the Glimmerglass Opera Orchestra, in Cooperstown, New York.

From 1994 to 2000, Chuck taught instrumental music at Delaware Academy in Delhi, New York. In 2001 Chuck began teaching elementary instrumental music in Oneonta, New York. He truly loved working with students, faculty and staff at Delaware Academy, Center Street Elementary School and Greater Plains Elementary School.

Groups with which he has performed included the University of Illinois Concert Band, the Augustana Choir, the Aspen Music Festival, the Catskill Brass Quintet, the Catskill Symphony, Barnum and Bailey's Circus Band, the New Jersey Symphony, Northeastern Pennsylvania Philharmonic and the Chatauqua Symphony.

Mr. England's teachers and other major musical influences include Henry Veld, Mallie Williams, William Bell, Harvey Phillips, Paul Krzywicki, Arnold Jacobs, Floyd Cooley, Toby Hanks, Charles Dcamp, the Augustana Choir and the New York Brass Quintet.

He is survived by his wife, Janet England of Oneonta, NY; a son, Eli England of Oneonta, NY; a daughter, Valerie England of Delray Beach, Florida; mother-in-law, Eldora Gowing; sisters-in-law, JoAnn and husband, Brad Weir and their two sons, John Weir and Jeff and wife, Liz Weir and their children, Aidan, Avery and Abby; Jane and husband, Bob Gowing-Agan; and MaryBeth Gowing.

He was predeceased by his mother, Doris M. Cole and step-father, Kermit Cole; father-in-law, John Gowing; sister-in-law, Sally Gowing and aunt, Frances Roundtree.

Chuck will be dearly missed by his beloved family and friends.

Calling hours will be held from 5 to 8 p.m. on Thursday, January 15, 2008 at the Lewis, Hurley & Pietrobono Funeral Home, Oneonta.

The funeral service will be held 4 p.m., Friday, January 16, 2008 at the Lutheran Church of the Atonement, 1 Center St., Oneonta, with the Rev. Paul Messner, pastor, officiating.

Interment will take place at the Rose Hill Cemetery in Shenandoah, Iowa at a later date.

Contributions can be made to the Charles England Music Scholarship Fund (for more information contact the funeral home) or the Augustana Choir, Augustana College, 639 38th St., Rock Island, IL 61201

To sign the guest book or send a condolence to the family, visit, www.lhpfuneralhome.com

The Lewis, Hurley & Pietrobono Funeral Home, 51 Dietz St., Oneonta, is serving the family