Charlie Lampman, 75, passed away peacefully on July 11, 2025, after a brief battle with cancer. Charlie grew up in Needham and attended Needham High School before serving in the Vietnam War.
Charlie was a proud father of three — a son, CJ, and two daughters, Jaclyn and Dena. In his final days, Charlie was surrounded by his children as well as the love of his life, ex-wife Nancy Rosata. His brother, Ted Lampman, sister, Barbie O’Brien, and their extended families were also by his side.
A Needhamite through and through, Charlie’s name is legendary among certain Rockets circles. Raised by a loving single mother, Marion, who lost her husband to polio in the early 1950s, “the Lampman boys,” as they were known, were fixtures on local playgrounds, fields and rinks. Charlie, the youngest of the boys, will always be remembered for his fiery competitive spirit. He played hockey on the famed Needham Rockets teams of the late 1960s, and some of his son CJ’s earliest memories are of watching his dad and uncles playing softball at Claxton Field.
Charlie was a hard-working carpenter and maintenance supervisor who worked at Needham Cemetery and Mount Ida College before joining the staff at Saint Sebastian’s School. During his nearly 20 years as the school’s Director of Maintenance, Charlie oversaw the expansion of the school’s Greendale Ave campus, taking particular pride in the meticulous field and ice conditions. More importantly, though, Charlie became a beloved member of the Sebs community and made close personal connections with many students, parents, faculty and staff.
Charlie’s affection for sports and competition were on display as both an athlete and a fan. He enjoyed watching all the Sebs teams during his time there, and he pretty much never missed a Bruins, Patriots or Red Sox game. But, most of all, he loved watching his kids and grandkids compete; and it was pretty much a guarantee that he’d always have a piece of advice for the young athletes after their games.
Charlie is survived by his ex-wife Nancy Rosata; his children CJ (Sarah) Lampman, Jaclyn (Brian) Marsh, and Dena (Tom) Poblete; his grandchildren, Charlie, Porter, Hazel, Leo, Nola, Calvin and Freddy; his brother, Theodore (Bonnie) Lampman; his sister, Barbara (James) O’Brien; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his father, Claire; his mother, Marion; his brother, Jeffrey; and his brother, Wayne.
Charlie will be remembered for his selflessness, sense of humor and storytelling. He will be deeply missed by everyone who knew him.
Visiting hours will be held at Eaton Funeral Home, 1351 Highland Ave, Needham, on Wednesday July 16, 4-7pm. A graveside service will be held at St. Joseph’s Cemetery, 990 Lagrange St, West Roxbury, on Thursday July 17, 11AM, with a reception at The Village Club in Needham to follow. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Red Sox Foundation (https://www.redsoxfoundation.org/)
