March 3, 2024
de Vegvar, Charles H. N.
Age 94, passed away peacefully on February 21, 2024 surrounded by his family. Born in 1929 in Vienna, Austria, Charles was the youngest child of Charles and Edith Neuman de Vegvar. In his early years, when not in school in Vienna, he spent long idyllic summers at the family home in Zalaber, Hungary.
Charles moved to America with his family, eventually settling in Greenwich, CT. He attended Eaglebrook School and Phillips Exeter Academy, and then went on to graduate from Harvard College and MIT. As a young civil engineer, he worked in the steel industry in Pittsburgh for seven years before moving to the Boston area, where Milton would become his home for the next 50 years. In 1960, Charles founded the Cheviot Corporation in Needham, MA with his roommate from MIT, and he served as co-founder and Treasurer until his retirement at the age of 81.
Throughout this time, Charles always felt a strong connection to his Austro-Hungarian heritage. Those who knew Charles greatly admired his meticulous attention to detail, his dry wit, his infectious laugh, and his extraordinary generosity. Well read and always with a gleam in his eye, he traveled extensively throughout his lifetime and particularly enjoyed hiking in Switzerland, skiing in the Rockies and the Alps, and in later years cruising oceans and riverways throughout the world. He was also a strong supporter of the arts, with a particularly deep appreciation for Dutch paintings and classical music, especially opera. He firmly believed in the importance of education and provided countless opportunities for a great number of young people.
Charles is predeceased by his wife, Rosemarie Anzalone de Vegvar, and by his former wife, Stephanie Szechenyi de Vegvar. He is survived by his children, Edith Rowland of Canton, MA, Michael de Vegvar and his wife Sybille of London, England, and Christine Parson and her husband Fred of Westwood, MA, and by his grandchildren: Amy Rowland, Sharon Rowland, Emily de Vegvar, Alexa de Vegvar, Inga de Vegvar, Roger Parson, and Julia Parson; also by Rosemarie’s son Randy Ordway and his wife Lisa of Evans, Georgia, and their children Ryan Ordway and Laura Etterle and their families; as well as by his companion, Dolores Lezama, her children and grandchildren.
A memorial service is being planned and will be held at a later date.
Comments(2)
We were very saddened to hear the passing of Charles H.N. de Vegvar’. I worked part-time at the Cheviot Corporation, which he founded, for approximately 30 years and house-sat (evenings ONLY) for Rosemarie & Charles at their Milton home when they travelled on one of their cruises. Yes, he was meticulous to detail, had a dry wit, an infectious laugh and extraordinary generous. Our very Deepest Sympathy to ALL the family members, the Cheviot employees and dear friends. Hopefully, we will be able to attend a Memorial Service at a later date.
Edie, Amy, Sharon, and family, My sincere condolences to you and your family. I know how much your dad meant to you and how you always enjoyed your time with him. I always loved hearing about your trips and your dinners together. He was a very admirable man, and it shows by the memories and stories you have shared. With sincere sympathy, Susan Thompson and family.