Thurber, Charles, F., Jr., ‘Pete’, 85, of Thurston Street, Riverside, died peacefully on May 21, 2011 at home surrounded by his loving family. He was the beloved husband of Mary T. (Martin) Thurber.

Born in Providence, a son of the late Charles F. Genevieve (McCarty) Thurber, he was a lifelong resident of Riverside.

Mr. Thurber was a firefighter for the East Providence Fire Department for 31 years before retiring in 1986.

Charles was a communicant of St. Brendan Church and a member of the East Providence Fire Fighter’s Beneficial Association. A sports enthusiast he was a devoted father and grandfather.

Mr. Thurber was a United States Navy Veteran serving during World War II.

Besides his wife of 59 years, he is survived by three daughters; Karen E. Santos and her husband Daniel of Riverside, Patricia J. Thurber of Riverside and Ellen M. Tilley and her husband William of Riverside, a son; Charles F. Thurber III of Riverside, two brothers; Harold Thurber of Rumford and Frank Thurber of Florida, two sisters; Marion Flanagan of Rumford and Mary Fuller of Colorado, six grandchildren, six great grandchildren and several nieces and nephews. He was the brother of the late Gordon Thurber and Dorothy Whitman.

His funeral will be held on Tuesday May 24, 2011 from the W. RAYMOND WATSON FUNERAL HOME, 350 Willett Avenue, Riverside at 7:45 am with a Mass of Christian Burial in St. Brendan Church, Turner Avenue, Riverside at 9 am. Burial with Military Honors will follow in Gate of Heaven Cemetery.

Calling hours are Monday 4-8 pm. Flowers are respectfully omitted. Contributions in Pete’s memory to the East Providence Fire Fighter’s Beneficial Association, PO Box 4966, East Providence, RI, 02916 would be deeply appreciated.