Hancock, Maine - Charles Birdsall Jr., age 80, of Hancock, Maine, passed away on December 17, 2025. Although his devoted family was not permitted to be with him in his final moments, their love for him never wavered. We wish him peace, rest, and comfort beyond this world.

Charles to many, Charlie "No Frills" to his customers, Chuck to his close friends and family, and dad to his nine children was a force larger than life and leaves a palpable empty space behind in the lives of those he loved and the Hancock County community. Charles was born to his mother, Eleanor, in Staten Island, New York, and raised by her loving family. He often shared stories of his grandmother, Margaret, and described the wonderful meals prepared by his aunt, Marie. Charles graduated from Tottenville High School in Staten Island. As a young adult, he played guitar in a band and ran a motorcycle shop making lifelong friends. He met his wife, Kathleen, in 1968 and they were married in 1971. They started a family and in 1979 Charles moved his family to Hancock, Maine, from Staten island, New York. He established himself in the community working at local businesses like MacQuinn's Construction, and Ray's Plumbing and Heating, even volunteering as a local town police officer, but the following year Charles embarked on a career journey that would define his role in our community. Purchasing an older model diesel auto car oil truck from his father, Charles and Kathy started No Frills Oil from their home in Hancock. His business strategy was simple, answer the phone day or night to make sure no one in Down East Maine had to spend a night without heat. With his larger than life, gregarious nature, unparalleled work ethic, and unwavering support of his wife and organized business partner, Kathy, he became the face of No Frills Oil. Together they raised their six children, grew a successful business and shared 54 years of marriage. They also raised generations of German shepherds, animal companions to Charles in the rare moments his family was not nearby. In the summer, when the heating oil season slowed Charles could be found riding his motorcycle, tending to his expansive vegetable garden, or cooking a big Sunday Italian supper for his friends, family, children, and eventually his grandchildren, who became an enormous source of joy for him in his later years. In his last decade of life, Charles was also united with three daughters that he was previously unaware of, who quickly became part of the Birdsall family.

He will be missed terribly by his wife of 54 years and business partner, Kathy. He is survived by his large and loving family: his son, Charles Birdsall III and his children, Jonathan and Ann; his daughter, Colleen Mutlu and her husband, Savas and their children, Michael and Emine; his daughter, Patricia Zavaleta and her daughter, Julia; his son, Michael and his wife, Joanna and children, Maja and Maks; and his son, Nicholas and his wife, Jamie and their children, Aidan, Ava, Asher and Ridge. Additionally he is survived by three surprise daughters, Heather Kirby, Maureen Martin and Heather Daly and their families, who he met as women but loved as daughters. Charles will be welcomed into the afterlife by a multitude of predeceased friends and family members, including his mother, Eleanor Torocco; stepfather, Henry "Hank" Goskowski, known to family as "Pop Pop"; and his father, Charles Birdsall Sr.

A funeral Mass for Charles will take place on January 3 at 12:30 p.m. at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 231 Main St., Ellsworth, with a procession to his family home in Hancock for a final goodbye family dinner.