Charles Friou

Charles “Charlie” Dyson Friou, 99, passed away peacefully on October 16, 2025, at Havenwood Heritage Heights in Concord, New Hampshire. Born on September 11, 1926, in Flatbush, Brooklyn, New York, Charlie lived a long and meaningful life marked by dedication to his family and quiet resilience throughout nearly a century of change and progress.

The son of a proud Brooklyn family, the youngest of five, Charlie grew up during the Great Depression, coming of age with an appreciation for hard work and perseverance that would define his character.

He attended Bard college during World War II completing his BA in '46. While there he participated extensively in the activities of the interracial club working on many race related issues and expanding his knowledge and understanding of them.

Following Bard he graduated Yale University with a Master’s in Divinity ‘49. A week later he headed out to missionary work in Gaza, Palestine with The American Friends Service Committee '49 -'50. He was the head of the Maghzi camp of 10,000 refugees. Providing shelter, food and healthcare.

He was ordained a Congregational Minister of the Gospel in 1951 and served churches in Flushing NY and Chester NJ. '50-'56

In '56 he became Pastor of the inner-city church -Ingram Memorial Congregational Church, in Washington DC until '69. It was the era of "The Civil Rights Movement", " The War on Poverty", "The Vietnam war Protests", The assassinations of President Kennedy, Martin Luther King and Robert Kennedy Sr and a time of Civil Disorder.

The Church became a base for the nearby community, providing basketball, study halls, tutoring, summer camps, participation with other youth groups around DC and the opportunity for the youth to gather in a safe space. Charles worked with the Southern Christian Leadership Conference helping to organize for the March on Washington and King’s "I have a dream speech”.

In 1970 he made a career move to the Federal Govt. with Health and Human Services Community Services Administration (CSA) where he oversaw the same types of community programs that defined his ministry. He continued with CSA in Boston and Philadelphia until he retired in 1991 and continued his community activism in Nashua NH and later at Havenwood Heritage Heights in Concord NH where he and his wife lived out their final years.

Charlie married the love of his life, Odette Simone Schwengeler Friou in 1951 in Flushing Queens NY, with whom he shared many treasured years before her passing. Together they raised their three daughters, Odette Kent, Louise Fudge, and Suzanne Friou, instilling in them the same values of kindness, curiosity, and integrity that guided his own life.

A devoted father, grandfather, and great grandfather, Charlie cherished time spent with his family and took great joy in seeing them flourish. He particularly enjoyed bringing all generations together at his home in Nashua and together for summers on Friendship Long Island where his family thrived, helping build the cottages, boating, sailing, swimming, fishing, and hiking. There he spent many happy years with his daughters and their spouses Odette and Bill Kent, Suzanne Friou, Louise and John Fudge, his 8 grandchildren and their spouses -Will and Danielle Kent, Shannon and Duane Danforth, Bridget Kent, Tom Mack, Timothy and Jessica Kent, Elizabeth and Rob Feldman, Danielle and Andrew Baker, Becca and Connor McCann and his 12 Great grandchildren In age order- Liam Kent (14), Lilah Kent (13), Adeline Kent (9), Kellan Kent (8), Guinevere Danforth (8), Amelia Danforth (6), Charles Feldman (6), Emerson McMann (5), Lucas Kent (4), Zachary Feldman (3), Aurora McCann (2), and Monroe Kent (2).

He was preceded in death by his wife, Odette Simone Schwengeler Friou, and his grandson Thomas Logan Mack.

Charlie’s long life stands as a testament to grace and endurance. Though his years spanned nearly a century, his warmth and wisdom remain timeless to those who knew him. His memory will live on in the hearts of those he loved and who loved him in return.

A Celebration of his life will be held at Havenwood Heritage Heights 33 Christian Ave. Concord, NH on November 16th, 2025 at 11:00 am. Instead of flowers, please consider contributing to: American Friends Service Committee: https://afsc.org/ or The Friendship Ambulance Auxiliary Foundation: https://www.healthyfriendship.org/

Assisting the family with arrangements is the Cremation Society of NH, Nashua.