Charles Rotmil, Holocaust Survivor and Educator, Remembered in Portland
Charles Rotmil, a Holocaust survivor and longtime educator, passed away on November 18, 2025, at the age of 93. Born in Strasbourg, France, Rotmil survived the Holocaust as a hidden child in Belgium, thanks to the efforts of Benedictine monk Père Bruno Reynders. He immigrated to the United States at the age of 14 and led a multifaceted life as a street photographer, French teacher, writer, painter, chef, and shakuhachi player. Rotmil was known for sharing his survival story with students across Maine, educating them about the Holocaust. He is survived by his partner, Cathryn Wilson, his four children, eight grandchildren, and eight great-grandchildren. A celebration of his life is scheduled for August 3, 2026, at Temple Beth El in Portland. 
