Charles Mountcastle, Jr.

Charles Bassett Mountcastle, Jr., son of the late Charles and Helen Mountcastle, of Belle Haven, Virginia, passed away peacefully at the age of 85 on Thursday, January 27, 2022. He was also predeceased by his wife, Norine Helen Mountcastle and granddaughter, Caitlin E. Shaeffer. He is survived by his sister, Mary Eubank of Inverness, California, and four children: Elizabeth Ann (Scott) Shaeffer of Harrisburg; Charles Bassett (Charlotte) Mountcastle, III of Douglasville; Mary Helen Mountcastle of Reading; and Brooks (Becky Thoroughgood) Mountcastle of Harrisburg. During his life, he was fortunate to experience the joy and love of 7 grandchildren. Born on May 28, 1936 in Shaker Heights, Ohio, Charles attended the University of Maryland after enlisting in the United States Air Force as a Radio Operator doing tours in South Korea and Japan. Despite losing his own father and role model at the age of 17, he created a full and rich life that included a devoted family and successful career. Charles spent most of his professional life as an insurance agent for Keystone Automobile Insurance Company, where he worked for over 35 years. Charles enjoyed traveling and taking cruises with his family and late wife, Norine, of 58 years. In his personal life, he had many diverse interests. He had a special fondness for the architecture of Frank Lloyd Wright and I.M. Pei. He took his family on camping trips, to polo matches, and to air shows featuring the Blue Angels and Thunderbirds. He shared his love of Grand Prix Racing, music, and art with his wife and children. Charles liked the photography of Ansel Adams and Sebastiao Salgado and he was an amateur photographer himself. He loved music and over his life he saw some of the greats, including: Pete Fountain, Dave Brubeck, Lena Horne, Dizzy Gillespie, Herbie Mann, Bob Seger, KISS, and Jethro Tull. A foodie at heart, he would plan trips for he and his wife around some of the best restaurants. On occasion, he participated in his grandchildren's events and joined his family for summer vacations in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware. Charles enjoyed the solitude and rural nature of East Nantmeal Township, Chester County, where he lived for 48 years until he relocated to Reading to live with his daughter, Mary, and her family. A graveside ceremony will be celebrated Wednesday, February 2 at All Souls Cemetery, 3215 Manor Rd., Coatesville, PA at 11 a.m. Arrangements by Good Sipler Funeral & Cremation Centre, Inc. of Reamstown. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions be made to the East Nantmeal Land Trust, PO Box 161, Glenmoore, PA 19343; or Caitlin E. Shaeffer Memorial Fund; Attn: Jamie Cecil, PSHCH; Office of Development; 1249 Cocoa Ave., Suite 115; P.O. Box 852; Hershey, PA 17033-0852. Checks made payable to: Penn State University. Memo Line: Caitlin E. Shaeffer Memorial Fund. Condolences may be posted at www.goodfuneral.com.