Charles Stephen Szlachetka, 92, died on Friday, November 23, 2018 at St. Mary’s Villa Nursing Home in Elmhurst Twp. He had been a resident at the Villa for more than 5 years. Charles was born in Newark, NJ on March 23, 1926, the son of the late Karol and Theresa (Stefanski) Szlachetka.
Charles graduated from St. Benedict’s Preparatory School in Newark and served in the U.S. Army in the European Theater during World War II. He worked as a retail display designer at Bamberger’s in… Read More » Newark and then at Bonwit Teller in New York City. Charles later worked in retail sales and management at Brooks Brothers in New York City.
Residing in Greenwich Village, Manhattan for over 45 years, Charles loved the city for all its cultural and educational opportunities and the natural beauty of the Hudson and East Rivers. Ever curious and eager to learn, Charles pursued many interests throughout his life. He greatly enjoyed conversing with people and learning about their lives.
Charles was beloved by many of the staff at St. Mary’s Villa for his personality and subtle wit. He had a deep love for his family and is survived by his sisters and their spouses: Eleanor and Josef Abelow and Cynthia and Wayne Schneider; his devoted niece: Holly Brown and her husband Michael; his devoted nephew: Gregory Schneider; and his dear great nephew: Lachlan Brown. In addition to his parents, Charles was preceded in death by his older brother: PFC Stanley Joseph Szlachetka, who died in combat in the European Theater during World War II.
His family would like to thank the staff of St. Mary’s Villa for the care they gave Charles, particularly the staff of Unit 33, many of whom were his wonderful friends as well as excellent, loving caregivers. The funeral will be held on Friday, November 30 at 10:00 am from Brian Arthur Strauch Funeral Homes & Cremation Services, LLC 3 First St in Spring Brook Twp with a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:30 am in The Church of Saint Catherine of Siena, 220 Church St in Moscow to be celebrated by Father Robert J. Simon. Military honors will be rendered upon the conclusion of the Mass.
Interment with Rite of Committal will be held in Woodbury Cemetery in Woodbury, CT. Viewing will be held on Thursday, November 29 from 1:30 pm to 5:00 pm at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to one of Charles’ favorite charities: Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, P.O. Box 5028 Hagerstown, MD 21741-5028 or to the Activities Department c/o St. Mary’s Villa Nursing Home, 516 Saint Mary’s Villa Road, Elmhurst Township, PA 18444.
To share your fondest memories of Charles, please visit the funeral home’s website or Facebook page.
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