Charles Henry Horstmann

YARMOUTH – Charles Henry Horstmann, 83, died peacefully at his home on June 7, 2026, surrounded by family after a recent diagnosis of pancreatic cancer.

He was predeceased by his parents, Florence and Henry Horstmann; and a sister, Anne Marie.

He is survived by his brother, Henry Horstmann, wife Linda Mazzeo Horstmann, their three children, Jennifer (Horstmann) Scales and her husband Alan, Amy Horstmann along with her partner Chris, James Horstmann and his wife Sara; and six grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.

Charlie was born on Dec. 21, 1942, in Mount Vernon, N.Y. When Charlie was a freshman in high school, the family moved to Northampton, Mass., where his family bought the South Street Variety Store. He met Linda Mazzeo during his junior year. They dated through high school and continued throughout his years at UMASS Amherst, where Charlie earned a degree in Civil Engineering. Upon graduating, he and Linda married. Charlie earned a master’s degree from MIT while starting his family.

After briefly working in San Francisco, he moved back to Boston working for Charles Maguire Engineering where he designed a 50-foot wave tank that would be displayed for decades in the Boston Museum of Science. He then spent some time at the University of Florida working on his PhD before returning to the northeast to continue his career as a civil engineer. He and Linda settled in Yarmouth, and have been there for over 50 years.

One of Charlie’s favorite pastimes was sitting on the front porch waving to people going by, reading the newspaper, or sipping a gin and tonic with friends. Charlie was active in his community. In 2005, both he and Linda won the Yarmouth Latchstring award for their contributions to the town including being a founding member of the Yarmouth Community Garden.

In the early days of his retirement, he researched religions and found a new home with the Universalist Church in Yarmouth. It was there that he helped create the New Year’s Eve Clam Drop. He had a lifelong interest in learning new things, and a voracious appetite for reading. He enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren and was a part of a close group of men who gathered weekly on Tuesdays. He cherished this group and all his many other friends.

Charles will be remembered for his sarcastic sense of humor, love for his wife and family, cooking with his grandchildren, wide whale corduroys, gnomes, and his lifelong love of learning and caring for others.

Per Charlie’s wishes, the family will hold a service to honor his life on July 15, at 11 a.m., at the First Universalist Church of Yarmouth in Yarmouth. A gathering will follow in the church basement.

Services will be livestreamed https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82671162085 .

Please visit http://www.lindquistfuneralhome.com to view Charlie’s tribute page and to sign his online guestbook.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the:

First Universalist Church

of Yarmouth