Charlie “Choo Choo” Kelley

What’s in a name. Charlie was known by many: the people of Riverside knew him as “Choo Choo Charlie” and well as “Gator”. His family called him “Uncle Ronnie”. He could be found sweeping up at Tony’s Barber Shop and keeping an eye on things from his post on his bench in front of the Police Department. He was an associate member of the Riverside Fire Department and loved to march with them in Parades. Late night urges sent him hurrying to the Cumberland Farms for Tastycakes. His tastes were always eclectic: he loved to fish Olympia Lakes and down at the shore and later years found him enjoying golf on television. Tellers at the bank, waitresses at the Golden River Restaurant, and Nurses at Silver Care Nursing can attest to the fact that he was always a ladies man. He was previously employed at National Casein Co. in Riverton and served his country in the Army.rnCharlie was survived by his three sisters: Fay Bunting of Ft. Myers, Florida, June Hibbs of Columbus, NJ, and Ruth Bearden of Rome, Georgia; he was special “Uncle Ronnie” to Dawn Gershon and Doug Hibbs of Burlington, Dean Hibbs of Virginia, Mark and Mike Bunting of Florida, Claudine Bearden and MaryNan Ellison of Georgia and Georgia Kelley; as well as numerous grandnieces and grandnephews.rnCome celebrate 72 great years Monday from 6-7:30 pm at Sweeney Funeral Home, 337 Bridgeboro St., Riverside where there will be a service at 8 pm. Interment in Oddfellows Cemetery will be private at the convenience of the family.rnrnrnrnrn