Charles Burt, Sr.

Charles S. Burt, age 93 of Wayne, died peacefully at home on May 22, 2020 of natural causes.  He has lived in Wayne for more than fifty years.

Charlie was most proud of his job as Director the Boys Club in Astoria, Queens, where he worked for many years.

Charles grew up in Greenwood Lake, NY, and had been a member, along with his dad, of the Greenwood Lake Volunteer Fire Department.  There was a great camaraderie amongst the firefighters and he enjoyed his experiences there immensely.  He remained a firefighter in Greenwood Lake for the better part of his adult life.  

In 1943, at just seventeen years old, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy.  Serving aboard the USS Denver CL-58 for nearly all of his time in the service, Charlie saw active duty during World War II and was recalled to the Korean War as well.  Later in life, during his retirement years, he attended annual reunions with his USS Denver shipmates at various events around the country.  He remained fond of his ship, and proud of his time in the U.S. Navy.

After being discharged from the Navy, Charlie began his education and pursued a teaching career.  It was during a student-teaching stint in Greenwich Village, NY, that Charlie met the beautiful Carmela Frezzo.  She was an Arts & Crafts teacher at the same school and they hit it off.  They were married in Greenwich Village in 1950 and started their family there.  Shortly thereafter, Charlie was recalled to the U.S. Navy to fight in Korea.  During his deployment, he learned of the birth of his first child via telegram.  Upon his return, they settled in Flushing, Queens for several years before moving to Wayne in 1967, where he has lived ever since.  Charlie went on to earn his Master’s Degree and Carmela affectionately referred to him as “the professor.”  He and Carmela enjoyed a loving marriage that included hard work and perseverance.  They worked hard for everything that they had.  Throughout their marriage, they traveled to Europe on a few occasions, visited Alaska, and enjoyed annual vacations to Upstate New York, the Lake George region, and the Adirondacks.  To celebrate his retirement, he treated his family to a wonderful Caribbean vacation on the islands of St. Maarten and St. Croix.

Charlie was among those we refer to as “The Greatest Generation.”  He was a good man, generous, honest, and caring.  When he took interest in something, he became passionate about learning to do it right.  His love of golf was proof of that!  He spent many Sunday mornings on the golf course, trying to improve his game.  He often played with the same friends, many of whom he’d been close to since early childhood.  He appreciated his friends and held onto them for life.  He also volunteered at Our Lady of Consolation RC Church in Wayne, perhaps most remembered for being their resident Santa Claus at Christmastime.  He naturally looked the part, with his cute blue eyes standing out against his white hair.  He happily played this role for many years and truly loved it.  He was a good man in many ways, and he’ll be missed dearly.

Charlie is survived by his children; Carol Burt of Greenwood Lake, NY, Charles Burt, Jr. of Hewitt, NJ, as well as many nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews; Richard, Ryan and MaryKaye Peschieri, Anthony and his wife Harriet Peschieri, David and his wife Tanya Carey, Heather and Richard Valeao, Sophia, Bella, and Bianca Valeao, and Helen and Bill Panas, and nephew, John Nehrich.

For those wishing to make a donation in Charles’ memory, please consider the Wayne Animal Shelter, 201 Pompton Plains Crossroad, Wayne, NJ 07470.