Haverhill, MA:  Charles I. "Charlie" Aro, 90, of Haverhill, died peacefully on Sunday, July 26, 2020, at his residence.

Born in Baltimore, MD, he was the son of the late George and Helen (Butler) Aro.  As a child he worked on a farm and began his lifelong love and appreciation of horses when he was given his first horse. He taught himself to ride and became a professional jockey at the age of sixteen, racing at tracks in Maryland and later worked as a trainer and broke in thoroughbred horses until 1963 when he relocated to New England.

Employed as a trainer and exerciser of horses at Rockingham Park in Salem NH and Suffolk Downs in Boston, he also worked as an outrider during the races and later worked as a Marshall for harness racing season.

Known as "The Marshall" to his colleagues, and later by his many acquaintances on and away from the track, Mr. Aro worked in the horseracing business until the age of seventy and trained horses until live horse racing ceased to exist in Boston and Salem.

A longtime member of the Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association, Mr. Aro enjoyed deep sea fishing and playing softball on the track leagues. Most important to him was his family and he reserved every Sunday to spend with his wife and children for dinner and rides to the beach and other family fun spots. In his later years, he enjoyed rides in the country and breakfast every morning at Casey's Diner in Plaistow where he was a regular patron.

He was the husband of the late Priscilla (Antkowiak) Aro, who died in 2003, and will be sadly missed and lovingly remembered by his three sons and daughter-in-law, Michael C. Aro of Atkinson, NH, Paul D. Aro of Bradford, MA, Kevin J. and Lisa Aro of Plaistow, NH; two daughters and a son-in-law; Lisa M. Aro of Haverhill, and Andrea C. and Paul Walsh of Plaistow, NH; six grandchildren, Alex, Nicholas, Matthew, Jessica, Kalin and Christopher and several great grandchildren, nieces and nephews.  He was pre-deceased by his sisters, Helen Costa, Betty Aro and Margaret Rulli.

Relatives and friends may call on Saturday, August 1, 2020, from 11 AM to 1 PM at Brookside Chapel & Funeral Home, 116 Main St., Plaistow, NH, following the guidelines of the State of New Hampshire for social distancing and the wearing of face masks in the funeral home. His funeral service will be private.

Donations in Charlie's memory may be made to the Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund, P.O. Box 803, Elmhurst, IL 60126.   To send a message of condolence to the family or to share a cherished memory, please visit our website at www.brooksidechapelfh.com .