Under the loving care of his wife, Charles Rodgers passed away peacefully at home, of old age, on May 27, 2020 in Clifton, NJ. He was 99.
Like many of the "lost generation", having been born into the roaring twenties and passing through the worst depression of US history, Charlie's unique character played out on a landscape of challenging and drastically changing times with hopes and dreams ever on the horizon. Intellectually keen and ever curious, Charlie's enthusiasm carried him through adventure after adventure. Whether as a small boy out of place on a country farm, a young pilot walking the streets of Bombay, India, or experiencing the excitements of the city, whatever mishaps or opportunities he encountered, Charlie always learned something he carried with him to advance his understanding and appreciation for life and people, and to share with others.
Born in Newark, NJ on May 17, 1921, the last of five, Charles had already lost his two sisters to influenza by the time he was born, becoming the youngest of three boys by twelve years. Life was hard and Charlie moved frequently, attending fourteen different schools in four different states before entering the military in World War 2.
Charlie trained as a pilot and flew missions in the Chinese/India/Burmese theatre including being the last pilot to fly out of Guelin, China and watching the runway being blown up behind him to preclude its use by the advancing Japanese army; another unforgetable adventure was had flying over "the hump" (Himalayan Mountains).
Aside from earning many medals, Charlie's Army Air Corp service qualified him for the GI bill enabling him to attend Fordham University. He continued on to Columbia University Law school, and upon graduation became a partner at his cousin's law firm, Breslin and Breslin.
Being quite charismatic, Charlie was early and unavoidably led to politics but quickly left that path to dedicate himself exclusively to standing up for others in the courtroom where undoubtedly every client knew and felt his fierce dedication to his/her cause.
Charlie's exuberance for life and love for all peoples was a gift he passed on to his six children, whether in song with the aid of ukulele or piano, the skills he imparted to them as they assisted him on home projects, philosophical discussions over dinner, or just his ability and willingness to engage and befriend their peers; he was sure to make a lasting, positively inspiring, impression.
Charlie was preceded in death by son, William Robert Rodgers and first wife, Rosalind (Callari) Rodgers. He is survived by the love of his life and devoted wife of 35 years, Aureline (Kase) Rodgers; cousin Geraldine Rodgers (95) of Lyndhurst, six children: Christine, of Rochester, NY, Mary (George) of Hilton Head, SC, Rosalind (Mike) of Pittsburgh, PA, Charles, of Peekskill, NY, and Patty (Bob) of Mill Valley, CA, fourteen grandchildren and nine great grandchildren.
Arrangements are entrusted to Neptune Cremation Society, Paramus, NJ.
Like many of the "lost generation", having been born into the roaring twenties and passing through the worst depression of US history, Charlie's unique character played out on a landscape of challenging and drastically changing times with hopes and dreams ever on the horizon. Intellectually keen and ever curious, Charlie's enthusiasm carried him through adventure after adventure. Whether as a small boy out of place on a country farm, a young pilot walking the streets of Bombay, India, or experiencing the excitements of the city, whatever mishaps or opportunities he encountered, Charlie always learned something he carried with him to advance his understanding and appreciation for life and people, and to share with others.
Born in Newark, NJ on May 17, 1921, the last of five, Charles had already lost his two sisters to influenza by the time he was born, becoming the youngest of three boys by twelve years. Life was hard and Charlie moved frequently, attending fourteen different schools in four different states before entering the military in World War 2.
Charlie trained as a pilot and flew missions in the Chinese/India/Burmese theatre including being the last pilot to fly out of Guelin, China and watching the runway being blown up behind him to preclude its use by the advancing Japanese army; another unforgetable adventure was had flying over "the hump" (Himalayan Mountains).
Aside from earning many medals, Charlie's Army Air Corp service qualified him for the GI bill enabling him to attend Fordham University. He continued on to Columbia University Law school, and upon graduation became a partner at his cousin's law firm, Breslin and Breslin.
Being quite charismatic, Charlie was early and unavoidably led to politics but quickly left that path to dedicate himself exclusively to standing up for others in the courtroom where undoubtedly every client knew and felt his fierce dedication to his/her cause.
Charlie's exuberance for life and love for all peoples was a gift he passed on to his six children, whether in song with the aid of ukulele or piano, the skills he imparted to them as they assisted him on home projects, philosophical discussions over dinner, or just his ability and willingness to engage and befriend their peers; he was sure to make a lasting, positively inspiring, impression.
Charlie was preceded in death by son, William Robert Rodgers and first wife, Rosalind (Callari) Rodgers. He is survived by the love of his life and devoted wife of 35 years, Aureline (Kase) Rodgers; cousin Geraldine Rodgers (95) of Lyndhurst, six children: Christine, of Rochester, NY, Mary (George) of Hilton Head, SC, Rosalind (Mike) of Pittsburgh, PA, Charles, of Peekskill, NY, and Patty (Bob) of Mill Valley, CA, fourteen grandchildren and nine great grandchildren.
Arrangements are entrusted to Neptune Cremation Society, Paramus, NJ.
Under the loving care of his wife, Charles Rodgers passed away peacefully at home, of old age, on May 27, 2020 in Clifton, NJ. He was 99.
Like many of the "lost generation", having been born into the roaring twenties and passing through the worst depression of US history, Charlie's unique character played out on a landscape of challenging and drastically changing times with hopes and dreams ever on the horizon. Intellectually keen and ever curious, Charlie's enthusiasm carried him through adventure after adventure. Whether as a small boy out of place on a country farm, a young pilot walking the streets of Bombay, India, or experiencing the excitements of the city, whatever mishaps or opportunities he encountered, Charlie always learned something he carried with him to advance his understanding and appreciation for life and people, and to share with others.
Born in Newark, NJ on May 17, 1921, the last of five, Charles had already lost his two sisters to influenza by the time he was born, becoming the youngest of three boys by twelve years. Life was hard and Charlie moved frequently, attending fourteen different schools in four different states before entering the military in World War 2.
Charlie trained as a pilot and flew missions in the Chinese/India/Burmese theatre including being the last pilot to fly out of Guelin, China and watching the runway being blown up behind him to preclude its use by the advancing Japanese army; another unforgetable adventure was had flying over "the hump" (Himalayan Mountains).
Aside from earning many medals, Charlie's Army Air Corp service qualified him for the GI bill enabling him to attend Fordham University. He continued on to Columbia University Law school, and upon graduation became a partner at his cousin's law firm, Breslin and Breslin.
Being quite charismatic, Charlie was early and unavoidably led to politics but quickly left that path to dedicate himself exclusively to standing up for others in the courtroom where undoubtedly every client knew and felt his fierce dedication to his/her cause.
Charlie's exuberance for life and love for all peoples was a gift he passed on to his six children, whether in song with the aid of ukulele or piano, the skills he imparted to them as they assisted him on home projects, philosophical discussions over dinner, or just his ability and willingness to engage and befriend their peers; he was sure to make a lasting, positively inspiring, impression.
Charlie was preceded in death by son, William Robert Rodgers and first wife, Rosalind (Callari) Rodgers. He is survived by the love of his life and devoted wife of 35 years, Aureline (Kase) Rodgers; cousin Geraldine Rodgers (95) of Lyndhurst, six children: Christine, of Rochester, NY, Mary (George) of Hilton Head, SC, Rosalind (Mike) of Pittsburgh, PA, Charles, of Peekskill, NY, and Patty (Bob) of Mill Valley, CA, fourteen grandchildren and nine great grandchildren.
Arrangements are entrusted to Neptune Cremation Society, Paramus, NJ.
Like many of the "lost generation", having been born into the roaring twenties and passing through the worst depression of US history, Charlie's unique character played out on a landscape of challenging and drastically changing times with hopes and dreams ever on the horizon. Intellectually keen and ever curious, Charlie's enthusiasm carried him through adventure after adventure. Whether as a small boy out of place on a country farm, a young pilot walking the streets of Bombay, India, or experiencing the excitements of the city, whatever mishaps or opportunities he encountered, Charlie always learned something he carried with him to advance his understanding and appreciation for life and people, and to share with others.
Born in Newark, NJ on May 17, 1921, the last of five, Charles had already lost his two sisters to influenza by the time he was born, becoming the youngest of three boys by twelve years. Life was hard and Charlie moved frequently, attending fourteen different schools in four different states before entering the military in World War 2.
Charlie trained as a pilot and flew missions in the Chinese/India/Burmese theatre including being the last pilot to fly out of Guelin, China and watching the runway being blown up behind him to preclude its use by the advancing Japanese army; another unforgetable adventure was had flying over "the hump" (Himalayan Mountains).
Aside from earning many medals, Charlie's Army Air Corp service qualified him for the GI bill enabling him to attend Fordham University. He continued on to Columbia University Law school, and upon graduation became a partner at his cousin's law firm, Breslin and Breslin.
Being quite charismatic, Charlie was early and unavoidably led to politics but quickly left that path to dedicate himself exclusively to standing up for others in the courtroom where undoubtedly every client knew and felt his fierce dedication to his/her cause.
Charlie's exuberance for life and love for all peoples was a gift he passed on to his six children, whether in song with the aid of ukulele or piano, the skills he imparted to them as they assisted him on home projects, philosophical discussions over dinner, or just his ability and willingness to engage and befriend their peers; he was sure to make a lasting, positively inspiring, impression.
Charlie was preceded in death by son, William Robert Rodgers and first wife, Rosalind (Callari) Rodgers. He is survived by the love of his life and devoted wife of 35 years, Aureline (Kase) Rodgers; cousin Geraldine Rodgers (95) of Lyndhurst, six children: Christine, of Rochester, NY, Mary (George) of Hilton Head, SC, Rosalind (Mike) of Pittsburgh, PA, Charles, of Peekskill, NY, and Patty (Bob) of Mill Valley, CA, fourteen grandchildren and nine great grandchildren.
Arrangements are entrusted to Neptune Cremation Society, Paramus, NJ.
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