Charles Sumner Lord II, "Charlie", died on February 7, 2025 from complications due to dementia. He was born on September 10, 1935, in Burlington, VT to Florence Etta (née Brunelle) and Charles Curtis Lord. The oldest of five boys, he was named after his grandfather, Charles Sumner Lord. While Florence lived to be 101, it was a defining moment for Charlie when his father died in a car accident in 1954 at the age of 42.

On April 5, 1958, he married his high school sweetheart, Jean Helen Johnson at the First Congregational Church in Burlington. Shortly after they married, he started his career at the Pomerleau Agency, retiring after more than 50 years, as Chairman of the Board, and eventually finishing his career among long-time friends and business associates as SVP of Strategic Planning at Aubuchon Company.

He enjoyed many friendships through his dedication to organizations such as the United Way, the Ethan Allen Club, Vermont Business Roundtable, Professional Insurance Agents of Vermont, Burlington Country Club, Lake Champlain Yacht Club, and First Congregational Church. In one of his many roles at the church he was instrumental in the transition of the former parsonage into the Burlington Ronald McDonald House.

His other accomplishments include the JayCee Distinguished Service Award, the Chamber of Commerce Burlington's Man of the Year Award, and setting up the first statewide educational program for insurance agents.

His life-long love affair with cars began while working as a teenager at his father's business, Lord's Kaiser Frazer Sales and Service in Burlington. We remember Pontiac family cars from the neighborhood dealer, his many "toy" cars including MGs, Mercedes, Jaguars, and oh, so many Volvos. They were always perfectly clean to the amazement of many, despite kids, dogs, winter road conditions, and many miles traveled.

He loved summers at camp on Lake Champlain and a lifetime of boating shared with Jean, attending LCYC rendezvous and traveling throughout the Northeast and Canada always on a boat named Afterglow. In later years, he and Jean were snowbirds and spent many winters in Fort Myers, Florida. He loved music and was a member of The Green Mountain Chorus for many years.

Charlie is survived by his children, Jennifer Lord Richmond and her husband Christopher, Charles S. Lord III and his wife Brooke, and Katherine Lord Keshavan and her husband John, grandson Benjamin Richmond, his wife Devin, and great-grandson Riley, granddaughter Hayley Richmond; brothers Morton, David and wife Kathleen, Alexander and wife Pamela, and sister-in-law, Sally Lord along with many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his wife Jean of 57 years in 2015, brother Andrew, sister-in-law Nancy, Jean's brothers Rodney "Joe" Johnson, Allen Johnson and his wife Lorraine, his beloved cat Agatha, and wife Nancy who he married in 2019.

We are comforted by our memories of Charlie in his prime, his sense of humor, generosity, telling of tales which had a least some ring of truth to them, and devotion to our family.

The family wishes to thank Home Instead especially Lisa, Laurie, and Virginia for their care and friendship; Christina for going above and beyond in her care of Agatha; and everyone at The Arbors - words cannot express how grateful we are to you.

A memorial service will be held at 3:00 p.m. on Friday February 21, 2025 at the First Congregational Church, Burlington, VT, with a reception to follow. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Humane Society of Chittenden County, Alzheimer's Association, or Ducks Unlimited to honor Charlie's memory.