Burlington-born man left a mark on the world of someone well beyond his 27 years
Charles Mack Vallee was born on July 18, 1994. He died on May 3, 2022. The Mack in Charlie’s name reflects his mom’s maiden name, an American version of Machoul, given to Charlie’s great-great-grandfather as he transited Ellis Island from Lebanon and moved to North Carolina. Personally, Charlie made the lives richer of all he knew; professionally, Charlie left a mark on the world of someone well beyond his 27 years. Born in Burlington, Vt., Charlie grew up in South Burlington under the guiding hand of his brother Ted, three years his elder. Both boys attended the Mater Christi School, and the daily commute down Spear Street included a stop to pick up Charlie’s best friend, Mikey Miller. Mike, Charlie and Basa Zvarova were inseparable pals at Mater Christi. Charlie’s youth beyond school and home was equally blessed by the 12 first cousins on his dad’s side and nine on his mom’s side. Nearly every Vermont holiday was spent in Georgia, Vt., at Gramma Betty’s with the Vermont cousins (and where Charlie dominated the pool table); the North Carolina trips were spent in Mooresville at Sitti and Giddi’s (Lebanese for grandmother and grandfather), surrounded by the southern cousins, plenty of Krispy Kreme doughnuts, the strong personality of Sitti and Lebanese food. In the north, Charlie would spend a week a summer in a northern trout camp, a trip stacked with northern cousins and sponsored by his dad’s father, Papa, who strongly influenced Charlie’s love of nature. Later in life, Charlie’s dad and uncle were able to reciprocate the sponsorship with a trip for salmon in Bristol Bay, Alaska, grizzly bears and all. The southern cousins gathered every year on the South Carolina beaches, again lorded over by Sitti. Following the lead of his brother, Charlie spent much of his youth playing soccer on the Far Post soccer team and, in a fluke of fate while playing floor hockey with his cousin Wil, decided to become a hockey goalie, rising through the CSB youth program. Charlie’s Vermont life was interrupted dramatically when his dad, selected by president George W. Bush to be ambassador, plucked him and his brother from Vermont to accompany him to Slovakia. The embassy was very helpful in suggesting sports teams for the boys. Unlike in the U.S., with its seasonal sports opportunities, the European system is based on year-round clubs. Charlie was forced to choose between…
Burlington-born man left a mark on the world of someone well beyond his 27 years
Charles Mack Vallee was born on July 18, 1994. He died on May 3, 2022. The Mack in Charlie’s name reflects his mom’s maiden name, an American version of Machoul, given to Charlie’s great-great-grandfather as he transited Ellis Island from Lebanon and moved to North Carolina. Personally, Charlie made the lives richer of all he knew; professionally, Charlie left a mark on the world of someone well beyond his 27 years. Born in Burlington, Vt., Charlie grew up in South Burlington under the guiding hand of his brother Ted, three years his elder. Both boys attended the Mater Christi School, and the daily commute down Spear Street included a stop to pick up Charlie’s best friend, Mikey Miller. Mike, Charlie and Basa Zvarova were inseparable pals at Mater Christi. Charlie’s youth beyond school and home was equally blessed by the 12 first cousins on his dad’s side and nine on his mom’s side. Nearly every Vermont holiday was spent in Georgia, Vt., at Gramma Betty’s with the Vermont cousins (and where Charlie dominated the pool table); the North Carolina trips were spent in Mooresville at Sitti and Giddi’s (Lebanese for grandmother and grandfather), surrounded by the southern cousins, plenty of Krispy Kreme doughnuts, the strong personality of Sitti and Lebanese food. In the north, Charlie would spend a week a summer in a northern trout camp, a trip stacked with northern cousins and sponsored by his dad’s father, Papa, who strongly influenced Charlie’s love of nature. Later in life, Charlie’s dad and uncle were able to reciprocate the sponsorship with a trip for salmon in Bristol Bay, Alaska, grizzly bears and all. The southern cousins gathered every year on the South Carolina beaches, again lorded over by Sitti. Following the lead of his brother, Charlie spent much of his youth playing soccer on the Far Post soccer team and, in a fluke of fate while playing floor hockey with his cousin Wil, decided to become a hockey goalie, rising through the CSB youth program. Charlie’s Vermont life was interrupted dramatically when his dad, selected by president George W. Bush to be ambassador, plucked him and his brother from Vermont to accompany him to Slovakia. The embassy was very helpful in suggesting sports teams for the boys. Unlike in the U.S., with its seasonal sports opportunities, the European system is based on year-round clubs. Charlie was forced to choose between…