Charles 'Charlie' McCormack, 83, passed away peacefully in his sleep on January 16, 2024.
Charlie is survived by his loving wife of sixty years, Teresa (nee Reilly), his son Bernie and his wife Clare, his son James and his wife Jenny, his son Charles and his wife Denise, his son Patrick and his wife Mary and his beloved grandchildren Maeve, Amanda, Alison, Kristen, Emma, Patrick and Maura. Charlie is survived by his siblings John McCormack, Maureen Fitzgerald, Nancy Brennan, Betty Leddy and predeceased by his parents Patrick and Maria McCormack (nee Donnelly) and his siblings James, Peggy and Harry.
Charlie was born in Arva, County Cavan, and at the age of eighteen emigrated to the U.S. Within a few days of arriving in New York, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy proudly serving onboard the aircraft carrier USS Antietam.
Charlie was extremely proud of his military service and his American citizenship and equally proud of his thirty-three year career with the New York State Thruway working on the Tappan Zee Bridge.
Like many of the newly New York Irish, Charlie met Teresa, the love of his life at a Sunday afternoon dance at Gaelic Park. Although Charlie had not been seen dancing prior or since, he danced that day with Teresa. They married in 1963 and raised their four boys. Charlie was very proud of his sons and how they married up in life and raised beautiful families of their own.
Charlie was an avid trout fisherman. He spent many weekends and post-retirement days up on the reservoirs fishing with his best friend of fifty years, Brendan Crowley. Although many of Charlie's favorite days were spent rowing a boat on a lake, he mostly enjoyed family gatherings, a good meal and being Papa to his grandchildren. He was particularly fond of watching his grandson Patrick play hockey. And there was a mutual affinity between Charlie and all of the family dogs - Deuce, Rory, Finn, Cody and Reilly.
Charlie will be dearly missed by his loving family and friends. May he rest in peace. A Mass of Christian burial was scheduled for Saturday, January 20, at St. Margaret of Cortona Church. Interment Gate of Heaven Cemetery.
