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Eric Gardell Charles Hite
1930-2026 1960-2026
Eric William Gardell, age 95, formerly of Wappinger Delmar – Charles Allen Hite, 65, of Delmar, NY,
Falls, New York, passed away on Saturday, March 21, beloved husband, father, brother and friend passed
2026. He spent his last five years at the Edgewood away peacefully at home surrounded by his family
retirement community in North Andover, MA near his son Steven. on Wednesday March 11, 2026 after a heroic battle with glioblastoma.
Eric was predeceased by his wife of 62 years, Janet; parents Eric B. Charles affectionately known as Chuck, Chuckie and Charlie was born
and Madeline Gardell, and daughter-in-law, Lorraine Gardell. He on December 14, 1960 the son of the late Paul E. and Mary Frances
will be greatly missed by his three sons, Steven and wife Cindy of Hite, predeceased by in laws J. Willard Doran & Joan S. Doran, his
Derry, NH; David and wife Deb of Fairfax, VT and Richard and wife brother Paul Hite Jr., and his lifelong friend Wayne A. Smith Jr., Esq.
Susan of Rockaway, NJ; his sister Nancy and brother-in-law John Charles was a 1979 graduate of Maple Hill High School, Castleton,
Larson of Palo Alto, CA; grandchildren Christopher (Jodie) Gardell, NY then earned his degree in Civil Engineering from HVCC,
Paige Gardell, Elizabeth (Matthew) Knobloch, Levi (Açelya) Gardell Troy, NY. Charles began his career as a Licensed Land Surveyor in
and Eric (Anna) Gardell; great-grandchildren Marley, Jonathon and September 1979 and opened Charles Hite Land Surveyors in Ravena,
Charlie, and many other family and friends.
NY in June 1988.
Eric was born in Brooklyn and spent his early years in the NY He was known for his patience, professionalism, kind smile, and
metropolitan area. Eric moved several times within the State of generous spirit. Known as a lifelong learner Charlie enjoyed travel,
New York as his Civil Engineer father worked at large engineering museums, historic sites, reading, gardening, photography and
projects. After graduating Peru High School, Eric attended Union completing the daily crossword puzzle in pen. He looked forward to
College for 2 years and then served as a jet engine mechanic in the his yearly Cape Cod vacations with family & friends, and mapping
Air Force during the Korean conflict. Since there were no civilian out daily excursions. As an advocate of the visual and performing arts,
jet engine jobs to be had, he enrolled in the tool making apprentice Chuck enjoyed watching Elizabeth dance on stage. He cherished his
program at GE. After getting his journeyman papers, he learned that family above all else.
they had no work for journeymen. His dad suggested taking the NYS
civil service exam as a fallback. After acing the exam and finding He is survived by his loving wife Nancy Doran-Hite, his devoted
nothing else, and with a wife and infant to support, he started at daughter Elizabeth Joan Hite and her partner Christopher Marsh,
the NY State DOT (Department Of Transportation). He wound up his dedicated sister Rhonda Hite VanDeWal and husband Steve
spending 25 years at the DOT and settling in Wappingers Falls. He VanDeWal, brother-in-law Dan Doran and partner Linda Crucetti,
became licensed as a land surveyor and professional engineer (no sister-in-law Kathleen Doran Congero and her husband William,
small accomplishment without an engineering degree). While at sisters Sheri, LaDena, Paula, and many nieces and nephews. He will be
the DOT, he started a part time surveying and engineering business greatly missed by his most cherished pup Tutu.
with the family. The business became full-time when he retired from Services were held March 21, 2026 at St. Matthews Roman Catholic
his DOT position as the manager of the Right of Way mapping Church, followed by mass of Christian burial and private internment.
department. Always interested in technology, he was an early and The family extends special thanks to Father Rick Lesser for his visits,
enthusiastic adopter of computer technology in the office and prayers, and friendship.
electronic surveying equipment in the field.
To honor Charles in a special way,
Eric and Janet were active members of the United Methodist Church please consider a donation to the
in Wappingers Falls, and later the Calvary Chapel of the Hudson Lansingburgh Boys & Girls Club 501
Valley in Poughkeepsie, NY. They were also active in the NY State Fourth Avenue, Troy, NY 12182 or St.
Association of Professional Land Surveyors. Mary’s Auxiliary 1300 Massachusetts
There will be a service celebrating his life at 10:30 on June 13 Avenue, Troy, NY 12180. Until we
at the Calvary Chapel of the Hudson Valley (36 Firemens Way, meet again may God hold him in
Poughkeepsie, NY). There will be greeting time with the family his eternal embrace.
starting at 9:30. Donations to the charity of your choice instead of
flowers are encouraged. Eric and Janet were supporters of various
veterans’ organizations and the Salvation Army. Eric will be interred at
the Poughkeepsie Rural Cemetery, 342 South Ave, Poughkeepsie, NY
12601, Building 2, Section C, Niche 3, Row I with Janet.

EMPIRE STATE SURVEYOR / VOL. 62 • NO 3 / 2026 • MAY/JUNE 11