Charles “Chas” T. Toomey, a longtime resident of Dartmouth and Higgins Beach, Maine, passed away peacefully on November 10, 2024, one day shy of his 92nd birthday. He was a shining example of the value of kindness, generosity and a witty retort.
Chas was born on November 11, 1932, in Johnston, Rhode Island, the eldest child of Charles T. Toomey and Margaret Graham Toomey. Chas graduated from LaSalle Academy in 1950 and attended Providence College on an ROTC scholarship. While at PC, he worked for the Providence Journal, driving a delivery truck and securing his status as an “early riser,” much to his family’s chagrin.
Upon graduation from PC in 1954, he proudly began his service in the U.S. Army and served as a first lieutenant in the 52D Field Artillery Battalion. He was deployed overseas and spent two years in South Korea patrolling the DMZ, before returning home to the U.S. to complete his service.
In 1957, Chas moved to Portland, Maine, taking a job with the Royal Globe Insurance Company, beginning what would become a lifelong career as an insurance executive and an enthusiast of all things Down East.
It was at a Portland dinner party that Chas was introduced to the love of his life, Maryse Salmonsen. After their initial meeting, Maryse was smitten and impatient to take the next step with a man who, in her words, “needed to get a move on.” In an effort to accelerate things, Maryse left not-so-subtle notes on the windshield of his car, checking frequently to see if they had been retrieved. Chas soon came to his senses, and he and Maryse were married on May 28, 1960.
Maine was their home until Chas was offered a position with Paul & Dixon Insurance in New Bedford. Chas and Maryse settled in Dartmouth to raise their family, and Chas began his 50-year career with Paul & Dixon, retiring as co-owner in 2010. Although cutting back in later years to enjoy time with family and friends, he credits working into his 80s for his health and his happy marriage.
He admired and adored his insurance colleagues, clients, and adopted city of New Bedford and found joy in serving the community through his many business and philanthropic endeavors. He served on the Board of Directors of NBB Bancorp, Inc. and Southcoast Hospitals Group and volunteered in various leadership positions for the Boys and Girls Club of New Bedford, Child & Family Services, Waterfront Historic Area League (WHALE), New Bedford Whaling Museum, Rotch Jones & Duff House and Garden Museum and the Lloyd Center for the Environment.
An avid runner, neighbors would see Chas out before daybreak, hitting the pavement on his “daily constitution,” regardless of the weather. In winter months, he could be seen in the middle of the street, setting pace behind the snowplows. His claim to “running” fame was the opportunity he had to run with Olympic marathoner Joanie Benoit Samuelson throughout her beloved Freeport.
In later years, when back problems forced him to become a walker, he was often gone for hours, bumping into friends new and old, and striking up conversations about anything and everything. His curiosity and genuine interest in others were his marked characteristics as a husband, father, grandfather, colleague, and friend.
Despite his many pursuits outside the home, Chas was a devoted family man who never missed an opportunity to be a part of every rite of passage, sporting event, or performance, where his distinctive whistle could always be heard. He and Maryse were consummate entertainers, known for hosting “proper cocktails,” including Chas’ signature extra dry Gibson. Martini aficionados will be happy to learn that he possessed the same bottle of vermouth for over 60 years, relatively untouched. They enjoyed a wide and close circle of friends with whom they shared many fond memories in Dartmouth, Higgins Beach (his “anchor to windward”), and Naples, Florida, and as members of the Wamsutta Club and Portland Country Club.
Faith was important to Chas, and he was an active communicant of Saint Julie Billiart in Dartmouth and the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Portland. When he moved to Concord four years ago, he could be found at Holy Family, sometimes stumbling upon the funeral Mass of a stranger as he loved hearing the story of a “life well lived.”
Chas was predeceased by his wife of 60 years, Maryse Salmonsen Toomey, his two brothers Dr. Edward Toomey of Concord and Thomas Toomey of Providence and his sister, Margaret Toomey Dolan, also of Concord. He is survived by his two daughters, Alison Toomey Peterson and her husband Scott Peterson of Hingham and Erika Toomey and her husband Steve Torres of Concord; and his four beloved grandchildren, Graham Peterson and Madeleine, Spencer, and Cecily Torres. His loved ones have but grace and gratitude for the time he had with us.
Family and friends will gather for his funeral Mass at 10 a.m., Saturday, January 4, in St. Bernard’s Church at Holy Family Parish, 12 Monument Square.
Concord’s town flag will fly at half-staff on January 4, 2025, in recognition of his honorable military service.
Memorial contributions may be made in his memory to The Boys and Girls Clubs of New Bedford, 166 Jenney Street, New Bedford, MA 02744 or The Island Institute, P.O. Box 648, Rockland, ME 04841.
Arrangements are entrusted to Dee Funeral Home & Cremation Service of Concord. To share a remembrance or to offer a condolence in his online guestbook, visit DeeFuneralHome.com.
