Obituary: Charles Rotmil

Charles Rotmil

PORTLAND – Charles Rotmil, of Portland, died Nov. 18, 2025, at the age of 93.

Born in Strasbourg, France, on Oct. 29, 1932, Charles survived the Holocaust as a hidden child in Belgium, rescued by the Benedictine monk Père Bruno Reynders. He came to America at 14 and lived a life of many arts: street photographer in New York, French teacher in Maine schools, writer, painter, chef and shakuhachi player. For decades, Charles told his story to students across Maine.

He is survived by his partner, Cathryn Wilson; his children, Adam, Colette, Michele and Eric; eight grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren.

We will celebrate Charles’s remarkable life on Monday, Aug. 3, 2026, from 1 to 4 p.m., at Temple Beth El in Portland.

Contributions in Charles’s honor may be made to the Holocaust and Human Rights Center of Maine.

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