Obituary of Charles M. Wittmer

Charles M. Wittmer

September 9, 1933 – September 24, 2026

Charles Wittmer, age 93, of Trumbull, Connecticut, passed away peacefully on September 24, 2026. Charley was born on September 9, 1933 in Bridgeport, Connecticut and spent his early years in Port Chester and White Plains New York before moving back to Bridgeport in early elementary school. He lived briefly in Monroe before settling in Trumbull in 1966. Charley can best be described as an avid outdoorsman, an engineer's engineer, and a true gentleman known for his sharp mind and wit. His knowledge of mechanics, electrical engineering, and structural expertise was expansive.

After graduating from Harding High School in 1952, he served in the United States Air Force where he focused on aircraft mechanics and was a Korean War veteran. He went on to graduate from UCONN with a BS in Electrical Engineering, followed by a Master's in Electrical Engineering from Yale, and later another Master's in Engineering Management from the University of Bridgeport.

Charley held a Professional Engineering license and designed atomic spectroscopy and analytical instruments during his career. He worked for National Semiconductor, Sikorsky Aircraft, Perkin Elmer, and Applied Biosystems, and continued to consult for PE after his retirement. Over the course of his career he received 18 US and European patents.

In 1962, he married the late Mary Jo Sawicki. Together they raised three children, taking them in their beloved campers to over 40 states and six Canadian provinces. In 1979 the family spent five weeks traveling across the United States and into Mexico, seeing all they could in a carefully planned cross-country adventure. The family was always keeping up with his love of fishing, boating, and his ability to seemingly do everything himself.

A consummate Boy Scout, Charley was never unprepared. He progressed from Boy Scouts into Explorers, earning the highest level of merit. As an adult, he continued his involvement in scouting through his son's troop, participating in canoeing and other trips in the U.S. and Canada, and hiking on the Appalachian trail.

Charley's love of skiing began while working at Hermann's Sporting Goods, where a job sparked an interest that became a lifelong passion. He was a certified ASIA ski instructor and was incredibly proud to have been able to ski until the age of 83. Charley rejoined the Sterling Ski Club in the 1980s and became the patriarch of three generations of skiers within the club.

In addition to his wife, Mary Jo, Charley was predeceased by his parents, Mildred (Dymkoski) Wittmer, Donald Wittmer, and Charles Keeler. He was also predeceased by his brother, Kenneth Wittmer, sister, Dorothy (Wittmer) Michnich, sister-in-law, Carol Sawicki, and his youngest grandchild, Bridget Cable.

He is survived by his children Marlene (William) Lautenschlager, Joseph Wittmer, and Kristen (Andrew) Cable. His surviving grandchildren are Andrew (Emily) Lautenschlager, William Lautenschlager, Teresa (Brian) Morrissey, Miriam (Brett) Deukmejian, Katerina Wittmer, and Monica Cable. He also leaves behind five adored great-grandchildren: Ella, Amelia, Nolan, Charles, and Nora. His heart was always close to his family, and near or far, he never stopped thinking about them.

Calling hours will be held on Tuesday, September 29 from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Abriola Parkview Funeral Home, 419 White Plains Road, Trumbull. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Wednesday, September 30 at 11:00 a.m. directly at St. Catherine of Siena Parish, 220 Shelton Road, Trumbull. Burial with full military honors will immediately follow at St. Michaels Cemetery, 255 Silver Hill Road, Ansonia.