Charles "Coz" Erazmus, 92, passed away peacefully with his family at his side on March 30, 2017 at MidState Medical Center. He was the husband of the late Lottie (Horanzy) Erazmus, his loving wife of 38 years.

Born September 12, 1924, in Meriden, CT. He was the son of the late Frank and Mary (Dziurgot) Erazmus. Charles was a lifelong resident of Meriden and a parishioner of St. Stanislaus Church. He proudly served his country during World War II as a member of the 1st Platoon, A Company of the Army's 710th Tank Battalion.  Deployed in the Pacific Theater he saw combat in the battles for Peleliu and Angaur in the Fall of 1944 where, as a result of a miraculous twist of fate, he was not in his tank when it was destroyed by a mine. The remains of the tank can still be seen on the island of Peleliu today - serving as a monument to those who were left behind.

After his honorable discharge from service Charles was employed for 40 years with The International Silver Company. Following his retirement from Insilco he worked as a Lab Courier for Veteran's Memorial Medical Center, ProHealth Physicians and Clinical Laboratory Partners, a job he truly loved.

Charles was a devoted family man married to the love of his life, Lottie (Horanzy), who he met at a big band dance at Lake Compounce, Bristol, CT, in 1948. He was committed to his children and spent his retirement actively involved with their lives and being a proud grandfather to his grandchildren and great grandchildren. He will be lovingly remembered for his unwavering devotion to his family.

Charles was a man of simple pleasures. His favorite pastime was cutting, splitting and stacking logs. "Chop your own wood and it will warm you twice". He loved tending to his wood burning stove. He also enjoyed playing his harmonica at family gatherings.

Charles is survived by his five children, sons Len and his wife Sue Erazmus of Meriden, and Don Erazmus of Middletown, and daughters Elaine and her husband Dan Cyr of Westbrook, Joanne and her husband Michael Zajac of Westbrook, and Gail and her husband Craig Holland of Kensington. Charles was blessed with 15 grandchildren, Seth, Jennifer, Scott, Kimberly, Larissa, Shauna, Kayleigh, Melanie, Jaren, Rachel, Kathlyn, Colin, Ryan, Gavin and Owen, and four great grandchildren, Eloise, Emilyn, Elliott and Kyler. He was predeceased by his seven siblings: Mary Augustyn, Joseph Erazmus, Thaddeus (Ted) Erazmus, Alfred (Fritz) Erasmus, Walter (Vatz) Erazmus, Frances DiPiro and Jeanette Pernal.

The family extends its deepest gratitude to the many people who supported Charles over the past several years, most notably the staff at MidState Medical Center for the dedicated level of care he received during the course of his illness. The family is also grateful to his caregivers, Anna and Rafal of Polish Caregivers, for the compassionate home care they provided to Charles during the past year.

A private burial with military honors will be arranged at the convenience of the family. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to the Stempien Funeral Home, 450 Broad Street, Meriden. To send an online expression of sympathy, please visit www.stempienfuneralhome.com .

In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Charles may be made to the MidState Medical Center, Development Office, 435 Lewis Avenue, Meriden, CT 06451.