Charles Donald Acri

Charles Donald Acri, 94, of Lewisberry, passed away on the morning of Friday, August 25, 2023 while residing at Country Meadows Retirement Community, Mechanicsburg. He was the son of the late Joseph and Eva (Young) Acri, born on March 1, 1929 in Harrisburg.

Charles was known to all as “Babe,” growing up in the borough of Lemoyne and playing football and basketball in his youth. He was a graduate and class president of Lemoyne High School’s Class of 1948. He went on to serve his country in the U.S. Navy, and would then return home to start a family with his wife, Margaret. At age 20, Babe would become employed with Bell Telephone Company, where he would spend his entire working career. For nearly 40 years, he would work his way up the ranks, ultimately retiring as a project manager. Not one to sit still for long, he was lured out of retirement by Northern Telecom Ltd. (now, Nortel), where he spent time as a senior consultant.

Babe was a member of St. Theresa Catholic Church, New Cumberland, all his life. He and his wife were married there, and he would help as a eucharistic minister and collection assistant at different points in time. He was active in the lives of his children and grandchildren, coaching his son’s little league teams and watching his grandchildren excel in all their endeavors. He was loose and one heck of a dancer, and in retirement, he took advantage of any and all opportunities to play a round of golf. Up until just recently, he enjoyed getting together with his classmates and old friends. It’s only fair to think that he’s already busy catching up with the many who departed this world earlier in life.  

Charles is survived by his three sons, Chuck Acri (Diane) of Lewisberry, Dan Acri (Marianne) of Wellsville, and Tony Acri (Rhonda) of Dillsburg; a daughter, Theresa Hollis (Craig) of Jacksonville, FL; siblings, June Acri (Sis) of Camp Hill and Eugene Acri (Ann) of New Cumberland; as well as many nieces and nephews.

He also leaves behind 10 grandchildren, Angela Caufman (Ryan), Alison Zortman (Scott), Meagan Floyd (David), Daniel Acri (Nikki), John Martz (Pam), Lauren Houseman (Donny), Ricky Donovan, Ryan Donovan (Allie), Savannah Hollis, and Carolina Hollis; and 12 great-grandchildren.

Married for 70 years to his late wife, Margaret “Peanuts” Acri, he was also preceded in death by a son and daughter-in-law, Joe and Lana Acri; as well as a brother, Johnny Acri; and two sisters, Frances Hambrook and Shirley Acri.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Theresa’s Catholic Church, 1300 Bridge Street, New Cumberland, PA, at 11AM on Thursday, August 31, 2023. A viewing will be held earlier that morning, from 9:30-10:30AM at Parthemore Funeral Home, New Cumberland. Burial will take place immediately following mass in Gate of Heaven Cemetery, 1313 S. York Street, Mechanicsburg, PA.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Charles’s memory to Lifesong Hospice & Palliative Care, 3880 TecPort Drive, Suite 2, Harrisburg, PA 17111. If you prefer to make a contribution online, click here.