Charles J. Stefanelli Jr., age 95, passed away peacefully on Friday January 12, 2024, in Emerson Hospital in Concord. While Charles was his name, he was widely and endearingly known to all as "Duke". Born September 2, 1928, he was the son of the late Charles J. Stefanelli Sr. of Formia, Italy, and Matilda (Venti) Stefanelli of Concord, MA.

After attending Concord High School and Tilton Academy where he starred in both basketball and baseball, Duke embarked on three years of service in the US Navy aboard the USS Whitley. Upon completing his service, he began working at the family store. It was called Bedford Fruit Market, but was more appropriately known to Bedford residents as simply, "Stefanelli's". He took over the family store and worked there for 31 years before selling it to a family friend. Duke then worked the last 15 years of his career at Bedford's Center and Lane Schools, and spent his semi-retirement doing part time work for Saint Michael's Church.

He was the beloved husband of the late Barbara (MacDonald) Stefanelli, his wife of 58 years. Duke and Barbara were longstanding residents of Bedford, where Duke served as the unofficial mayor of their Selfridge Road home. Duke was the consummate family man, a pillar of his Bedford community, and an avid Boston sports fan. The hallmarks of Duke's life were his love for people, his infectious positive outlook on life, and his ability to make everyone feel like the most important person in the room. He lived his life in service of others.

He was the loving father of his three sons; Charles J. Stefanelli III and his wife Diane of Windham, NH, David A. Stefanelli and his wife Patty of Hampstead, NH, and John F. Stefanelli of Bedford, MA; and grandfather of five grandsons; Charles J Stefanelli IV of Boston, MA, Michael J. Stefanelli of Windham, NH, Nicholas D. Stefanelli of Methuen, MA, Andrew C. Stefanelli and his wife Bonnie of Boston, MA, and the late Jeffrey V. Stefanelli.

Visiting hours will be held in Shawsheen Funeral Home on Wednesday, January 17, 2024 4PM to 7PM. Funeral from Shawsheen Funeral Home on Thursday, January 18, 2024 at 9am followed by a Funeral Mass in St. Michael's Church, 90 Concord Road, Bedford at 10am. Burial to follow in St. Bernard's Cemetery, Concord.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Alzheimers Association via their website (alz.org), phone (800-272-3900), or by mail to 225 N. Michigan Ave. Floor 17, Chicago, IL 60601.