WALLINGFORD - Charles A. Burghardt Sr., 90, of Wallingford, beloved husband of the late Gladys (Harvey) Burghardt, departed this life on Sunday, January 16, 2011 at the Meriden Center, surrounded by his loving family. Charles was born on August 31, 1920 at home in Wallingford son of the late Frank and Julia (Straub) Burghardt. He graduated class of 1938 from Lyman Hall High School and later served honorably during World War II in the U.S. Army Air Corps. He retired as a Postal Clerk in 1983 after over 38 years and also was employed at Caplans Market. He was also a career musician, playing the saxophone, violin and was also a vocalist. Music was a huge part of his life and brought him great joy and he passed his love of music to his family who continues that legacy. During his time off from the Postal Service he worked at Danbury Fair as a Sergeant for Pinkerton Guards. He was a Redman, and a member of the Disabled American Veterans and the Musicians Union. Charles was also a communicant of Most Holy Trinity Church in Wallingford. He also enjoyed gardening in his spare time and loved his pets. His greatest legacy was being a loving and devoted Husband, Father, Grandfather, Great Grandfather and friend. He will be sadly missed by his children: Charles Burghardt Jr. and his wife Susan of Wallingford, George Burghardt and his wife Lien of Wallingford, James Burghardt of Wallingford, Marie Blakeslee and her husband David Sr. of Wallingford, Robert Burghardt of Wallingford, Deborah Vilardi and her husband Ralph of Burlington, David Burghardt of Wallingford. He also leaves 12 grandchildren: Heather Blakeslee - Fiore and her husband Rocco, Marlena Burghardt, David Blakeslee Jr., Marie Burghardt and her husband David Rodgers, Michael Burghardt, Cindy Burghardt and her partner Ronald Pressley, Kenneth Blakeslee and his wife Heather, Jason Burghardt and his partner Sandy Pheng, Christine Cardoso and her husband Fernando, Kristin Vilardi, Melissa Vilardi, and Allison Vilardi, along with 6 great grandchildren: Darrian Davis, Isaiah Pressley, Olivia Burghardt, Madison Blakeslee, Xavier Pressley, and Joaquim Cardoso and numerous nieces and nephews and his son James' long time friend Sue McCartin. He is preceded in death by a son: Ernest Burghardt, 3 brothers, Frank, John, and George Burghardt, and 2 sisters, Elizabeth Burghardt and Julia Palicki. Relatives and friends may call on Saturday, January 22, 2011 from 8:00 AM - 10:00 AM at the B. C. Bailey Funeral Home, 273 S. Elm Street, Wallingford. A Mass of Christian Burial will follow at 10:30 AM on Saturday at Most Holy Trinity Church in Wallingford. Interment will follow in St. John's Cemetery in Wallingford. Memorial contributions may be directed to: Special Olympics Tri-Town, P.O. Box 588, Meriden, CT 06450 or Dry Dock, 68 1/2 Quinnipiac Ave, Wallingford, CT 06492.