Charles B. Rosner, our dad - a man of ageless stories and quip answers - made one think, then laugh, and most always brought the discussion back to his hometown of Brooklyn NY. When he wanted something simply explained. he asked for it in "Brooklyn English."
Charles Rosner, 85 , of Kissimmee FL, passed away February 6, 2019.
He loved his family very much and worked hard to see his two daughters graduate college. He was a nice husband and wonderful man. He tried his best. We will miss him.
Charles was born to Louis and Regina in 1933, young Jewish immigrants from Austria who arrived through Ellis Island and who later met at a Jewish social club in New York City. Louis, a tailor of men's suits, was involved in the early years of unionized clothing workers. For many years, Louis was shop chairman in a factory setting. He served as a union delegate and held various committee posts. In the ten years before his death he was Chairman of the New York Joint Board of his Local. Regina was a housewife and great cook. She also worked, for a time, in a sugar factory.
Married in February 1959, Charlie is survived by Phyllis and their daughters Linda and Rhonda, in-laws Charlotte and Louie, Herman and Lynn, as well as dear nieces and nephews including Robert, Jeffrey, Howard, Roni, Beth, Mark, Jennifer, Heather, Jeremy and Jonathan. Charlie was Grampy for nearly 19 years to family dog Brownie, a Lhasa Apso. Brownie died in 2014.
Charlie was predeceased by older sisters Lillian, Frieda and infant Rosalin. Charlie was 19 when his father died. His mom lived into her 80s.
He graduated from Thomas Jefferson HS (one of his classmates was Steve Lawrence (Sidney Liebowitz), the well-known singer and actor.
Over the past 20 years Charles developed a passion for wood and a saw. He was proud of his work creating both large and small dollhouses, a firehouse, bar and other items.
A fan of the Brooklyn Dodgers at Ebbits Field, he grew up pitching softball for the Brownsville Boys Club and played stickball in the street. As a young man he enjoyed black and white photography and developed his own pictures proudly stamped "Photography by Chas."
Charles would share childhood stories - often with his wonderful ability to add detail - of the old neighborhood, describing trips with his mom to the fish market or chicken farm, where she would pick out the LIVE fish or chicken that would eventually be part of the Shabbos meal.
As a trucker in the New York City area, he also rolled clothing racks on the sidewalks of Manhattan's garment district, transferring women's clothing from manufacturer to warehouse. He later became a dispatcher. In his older years, in Florida, he worked at Target stores in stock and inventory. Throughout his life he arrived early to work and rarely missed a day. Target honored him with a TV for perfect attendance. He was active in the Knights of Pythias and in 2011, was recognized by the Supreme Lodge for his becoming a Fifty Year Pythian Veteran.
Charlie was a music fan of the male singing group "Il Volo" from Italy and would often watch their concert videos. He also loved to listen to AM Radio talk shows and watch sports programs. His favorites were the Little League Playoffs and World Series, Basketball and Women's College Softball. He loved to throw the softball and football with his older daughter, Linda, and play wiffleball and go shopping with his younger daughter, Rhonda.
Charlie looked forward to a good meal. Chinese food and Arby's roast beef were favorites along with plain solid white tuna fish with a bagel with cream cheese. He like smoked whitefish, lox, creamed pickled herring and skinless and boneless sardines in olive oil. He enjoyed Hebrew National Hot dogs and steak fries.
Charles and Phyllis first met on the beach. 60 years ago, they honeymooned in the Borscht Belt of the Catskills at the famous Nevele Hotel where they danced beautifully. Over the years, Charles impressed people dancing the difficult Russian Kazotsky kick.
Years later, bus tours were a fun way to spend family vacations. Closer to home they enjoyed going to Coney Island for Nathan's Hot Dogs, French fries and pea soup! The family took car drives to the Jersey Shore and Upstate New York mountains for the breathtaking scenery and a bite and the Red Apple Rest, a landmark restaurant!
Funeral services and interment will be held Thursday, February 14, at 1:00 PM, at Bet Chaim Cemetery, Gotha, with Rabbi Arnold Siegel of Jewish Family Services officiating.
The family requests contributions in memory of Charles B. Rosner to the Charity of your Choice.
