MARBLEHEAD, MASS. — On Jan. 17, 2014, Charles M. “Buzzy” Stevens Sr., 79, died peacefully at Kaplan Hospice House in Danvers, Mass. after a heroic eight-year battle against renal failure. Buzz was born in Lewiston, Maine on Dec. 29, 1934, to Anna Jacobson and Victor Stevens.

He is survived by his beloved wife of 58 years, Hazel (Thompson) Stevens, of Marblehead, Mass. (formerly Westfield, Mass.); his sister Edna Fadden of Bridgton, Maine, and his brother Victor Stevens of Waterford, Mich. He is predeceased by his son Charles M. “Mal” Stevens, formerly of Sydney, Maine. Always to cherish his memory are his daughters Lynnea Hayden and her partner James McGrath of Southampton, Mass., Rhonda Mojkowski and her husband Andrew Mojkowski of Marblehead, Mass., Annette Stevens of Westfield, Mass., and Pamela Stevens and her husband Tarik Haydar of Marblehead, Mass. He was the proud grandfather of twelve grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

Buzz was a graduate of Bridgton High School. He was a devoted husband and father, who worked his entire life to support his family in every way possible. Buzz worked in construction, helping to build the Interstate 95 among other projects, drove concrete trucks and 18-wheelers as a Teamster, and served as a carpenter in his final years of employment. He retired from Westfield State College Department of Residential Life in 1997, after which he worked part-time for Firtion-Adams Funeral Home in Westfield, Mass.

A member of Mount Moriah Masonic Lodge in Westfield, Mass., Buzz was a proud and dedicated Mason. He was an avid collector of antiques and antique cars; he loved to hunt, dance, bowl, play cards, go camping in his RV, and, above all else, tell stories. He was active in his community, volunteering for local- and state-level politicians as well as local and national charities. He enjoyed bouncing his grandchildren on his knee while he sang his favorite songs to them. He cherished the simple pleasure of his morning newspaper, a cup of coffee and a jelly donut. Buzzy was a man of strong and intelligent opinions, the quickest wit, and a larger-than-life sense of humor. His treasured personality was unabated, even during his long illness. His smile and wink could warm any heart in seconds, and he will be greatly missed.

A Memorial Service will be held in his honor at the First United Methodist Church, 16 Court Street, Westfield, Mass., on Saturday Feb. 8 at 1 p.m. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the Shriners Hospitals for Children at 516 Carew St., Springfield, MA, or online at www.shrinershospitalsforchildren.org