Charles Joseph Vaughan, much-loved husband, father and grandfather, passed away September 11 at the Cypress Club of Raleigh at the age of 85, surrounded by loving family members.

A native of New York City, he worked for his Irish immigrant father's landscaping business while achieving distinction as a top student. Awarded a scholarship to Regis High School, he continued his Jesuit education at Fordham University and later undertook graduate studies at New York University. He served as a U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Officer.

Married to the former Maryann Reynolds in 1958, he was soon after recruited to join the management program of General Electric, and he moved in 1963 with his young family to Charlton, N.Y., near the company's headquarters in Schenectady. There, he began rapidly ascending the ranks of GE's corporate audit staff, traveling extensively around the world. In 1974, he was appointed vice president of General Electric do Brasíl, affording his family the opportunity to live in São Paulo until he was asked in 1976 to return to Schenectady to lead the corporate audit staff. His 25 years at the multinational conglomerate included positions as president of General Electric Technical Services, vice president for auditing and chief financial officer of G.E.'s international and consumer products sectors.

Leaving Fairfield, Connecticut, where GE had relocated its corporate headquarters, for Silicon Valley in 1984, he became Chief Financial Officer of Atari, the video games and personal computing pioneer. He subsequently helped lead a savings and loan bank, established his own investment and consulting firm, joined corporate boards, and later served as Chief Executive Officer of Pinnacle Systems, a producer of video editing software.

Moving to Cary in 1996 to be near family, the Vaughans joined the Prestonwood Golf Club and St. Paul's Church. They moved to the Cypress Club of Raleigh in 2017. He was predeceased by his son, Brian Vaughan, and sister Caroline Hoffman. He leaves behind his wife, Maryann; his brother Kevin Vaughan and sister Arlene Glennan; his children Christopher (Lauri) Vaughan, Kathleen (Chris) Crevasse, and Maureen (Bob) Ruscher; his daughter-in-law Angela Vaughan; his grandchildren Huckleberry Vaughan, Tessa and Isabel Crevasse, Alex and Kate Ruscher, and Helena, Aidan, Devin and Quinn Vaughan.

Known variously as Charles, Charlie, Chuck, Don Carlos, C.J., and Mr. Tease (Chaz Ochocinco, this year's appellation, did not really get a chance to catch on), he was loved for his generous spirit, his towering intellect and his sharp wit. He leaves a legacy of community spirit and support for education. He is already and always will be missed.

A Celebration of Life will take place at The Cypress of Raleigh on Saturday, October 28 at 1 pm. A service and interment of ashes will take place at a date to be determined at Church of the Good Shepherd in Lookout Mountain, TN.