Charles L. VanderStaay (USAF, Ret.), 77, of Wareham died Saturday, April 26, 2014 at Rhode Island Hospital in Providence. He was the husband of Joan E. (Beaulieu) VanderStaay.

Born in Leavenworth, KS, Mr. VanderStaay was the son of the late Louis H. and Mary E. (Ulrich) VanderStaay. Mr. VanderStaay was proud to be born on Flag Day, June 14, 1936 and was known to be an expert in United States flag etiquette. He was a resident of Wareham since 1954.

Mr. VanderStaay was a precision measure equipment technician for the U.S. Air Force for over twenty years. After his retirement from the Air Force, he served in the same capacity as a civilian employee for an additional twenty years. During his time in the service, he was stationed throughout the globe including in Korea and Iceland.

He was a member of American Legion Post #220 in Wareham and served in many positions and posts locally, as well as at district and state levels. Mr. VanderStaay was also a member of the Benjamin D. Cushing Post #2425 in Marion.

Mr. VanderStaay served as coach for Wareham Little League baseball and was instrumental in founding the American Legion Post #220 baseball team.

A longtime communicant of St. Patrick’s Church in Wareham, Mr. VanderStaay was one of the first parishioners to be appointed and serve as both Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion and lector.

He is survived by his wife; his children, Annette M. VanderStaay, Maureen E. Lindquist, Joseph M. VanderStaay and Catherine L. Giannelli all of Wareham; his siblings, Mary E. Lietzen, Eugene E. VanderStaay and Roseanne VanderStaay all of Leavenworth, KS; 12 grandchildren and two great-granddaughters. He was predeceased by his brother, the late Louis H. VanderStaay, Jr.

His funeral will be at the Chapman, Cole & Gleason Funeral Home, 2599 Cranberry Highway (Rt. 28), Wareham on Fri., May 2, 2014 at 9 a.m. followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at St. Patrick’s Church, High St., Wareham at 10 a.m.. Interment with full military honors will follow at Massachusetts National Cemetery, Bourne. Visiting hours will be Thursday from 4 – 8 p.m. at the funeral home.

Donations in his memory may be made to the American Legion Post #220 Scholarship Fund, P.O. Box 530, W. Wareham, MA 02576. For directions and on-line guestbook visit: www.ccgfuneralhome.com