- Welcome to Daley Life Celebration Studio, where we Celebrate the Color of Life.
Charles Clerecuzio
Charles Alan “Chuck” Clerecuzio, 54, of Woolwich Township passed away suddenly Wednesday, November 1st, at his home. Chuck was the son of the late Angelo Charles and Constance Clerecuzio. He is survived by his wife Molly (Ward) Clerecuzio and son Joseph Kenneth. Also surviving are his sister Judi Steward and husband David, of Bay Shore, NY, and brother-in-law Ken Ward Jr. and wife Elizabeth Wehner of Charleston, WV, and nephews DJ Steward and Thomas Ward, mother-in-law Laura Ward, and many beloved friends and cousins.
Chuck was born in Oradell, New Jersey, and grew up in Saddle Brook in Bergen County. He was a graduate of Saint Joseph Regional High School in Montvale, and had attended Stevens Institute of Technology. He held a Bachelor of Science in Zoology and a Master of Science in Chemical Engineering from Rutgers University, and a Master of Business in Administration in Finance and Operations Management from the Stern School of Business at New York University. He had previously been pursuing a PhD in Chemical and Biochemical Engineering at Rutgers University, with research focused on retrofitting idle refineries for processing renewable fuels.
He was an AIChE Fellow, the 2013 Delaware Valley Engineer of the Year, and the 2012 Chemical Engineer of the Year. He was also a recipient of the Buz Lange Award from ISPE, the Order of the Engineer. Chuck was a Professional Engineer holding licenses in multiple states.
He was a member of St. Clare of Assisi Parish, the American Institute of Chemical Engineers, the International Society of Pharmaceutical Engineers, Phi Sigma Kappa fraternity and a former member of the Union League of Philadelphia.
Chuck was a former volunteer firefighter and emergency medical technician, as well as a paid EMT and paramedic. He was proud to be a member of the United States Coast Guard Auxiliary. He had been an adjunct instructor at both Rutgers University and Rowan University. He had worked for over 25 years in the Pharmaceutical and Bio-Technology fields. Facing limited mobility after being diagnosed with end- stage renal disease and having a foot amputation, Chuck started his own engineering company, OSDV Engineering, Inc. The company recently received accreditation as a disability owned business enterprise by the US Business Leadership Network. Chuck was proud of being able to offer work to people who could not necessarily work in a traditional work/office environment.
Chuck had no greater joy than spending time with wife and son, as well as extended family and friends. He loved being in a house full of people having fun. Chuck was no fair-weather Rutgers football fan, being a season ticket holder for over 20 years. He enjoyed sailing, golfing traveling, and listening to music. When his son was just a toddler, Chuck instituted “no soft rock Saturdays” to facilitate what he called his “musical education”. He liked cooking with his family, reading science fiction, watching The Big Bang Theory, and seeing superhero movies with his son and friend Frank. He even enjoyed indulging his wife in her Fiestaware obsession and volunteer endeavors. He had recently become an advocate for people with disabilities, having undergone an amputation himself.
Come celebrate 54 great years Sunday 5-7 p.m. at Daley Life Celebration Studio and Monday from 11 a.m. at St. Joseph’s Church Swedesboro where Mass will be celebrated at Noon.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that contributions be made to help fund the future cost of his son, Joseph’s education. Contributions may be sent to the address of Chuck’s loving wife, Molly Clerecuzio at 55 Frederick Blvd. Woolwich NJ, 08085 .
18 Comments
Chuck was one of my best friends in high school. I will never forget him!
I had the pleasure of working for Chuck for quite a few years when our paths crossed at amec Biopharmaceuticals. I am deeply saddened to hear about his sudden passing. I consider myself fortunate for having known him and to have been a part of his team. He was an excellent leader who shared his passion for the industry as well as his love for family. His strength and continued determination to perservere and succeed during his years of challenging health issues is a true testament to the incredible man he was. My sincerest condolences to Molly, Joseph and his family for your immeasurable loss. He will not be forgotten. With love, Elizabeth
Stan met and worked with Chuck at John Brown/Kvaerner in Berkeley Heights, NJ a number of years ago. In recent years they got back in touch as Chuck established OSDV Engineering. He was a man of unwavering good humor, strong values and deep love of family. We are shocked and deeply saddened by his loss. Our hearts are with Molly and Joseph at this most grievous time.
Saddened to read of Chucks passing this morning. An even keeled & perpetually optimistic guy. Condolences to Molly & Joseph. God Bless.
Randy Marcucci
So very sorry fore your loss! Our prayers are with your family
Dearest Molly, I am so sad for your loss of Chuck. My prayers are with you, Joseph and family. Take care.
Chuck will be sorely missed and Molly and Joseph have our deepest sympahty. He was a superb talent with great integrity. His word was as good or better than a legal conract. We shared identical philosophies about creating value for clients and had many great conversations about that. The WIndshire Group was OSDV’s first client and Chuck was a valued business partner. Our clients were always overwhelmed with the quality and quantity of our work. I know OSDV will continue to deliver on Chucks’s legacy. I look forward to seeing Joseph grow into a young man his father will be very proud of. Please come sailing with me in Boston, Joseph. Chuck shared a story with me about his most idyllic day with Joseph and Molly sailing in Maryland. He described it as the perfect day.
I’ve known Chuck for 30 years. He was always good-spirited and full of energy. Chuck was a lot of fun to be around. My thoughts and prayers go out to Molly and Joseph. God bless and Godspeed Chuck.
Chuck was one of my best friends in college, and he remained part of my life thereafter, even though the years and miles separated us. He was the sort of person who could always be counted on for a kind word, a laugh, and whatever support he could offer. He was a devout Catholic, a loving husband, and a devoted father … and, of course, a dyed in the wool Scarlet Knights fan. His passing leaves a huge hole in my heart and my life. Rest In Peace, my friend.
I’m so very sorry and sad. Trying to find words thru tears to say how very lucky and blessed I am to have had him as my cousin how very proud ive always been of him and in awe of him. Such a fun loving good hearted loving person and probably one of the smartest people I ever met the world will miss him too. I will cherish our childhood times and memories from him at your first Saddlebrook house teaching mean not to be afraid of his frogs and swimming in your cool pool and playing games and being like a big brother that I never had and I am so impressed when I Think back when I see Richie drinking a microbrew beer and how he was brewing them at such an early age just so smart just so many fond memories of holidays and birthdays and celebrations I wish there were many more I know I’ve had to deal with my body being special for over 15 years now and really over 30 years and I know I missed out on a lot of special good times but it made me happy knowing that he was having them and you all were having them that brought me much joy and again just so very impressed and now saddened to lose my childhood hero that I would now brag about as an adult seeing the man, husband and father he had become made me so very happy. I know at times, times were very hard for him but his bravery and being such a fighter and a knew he’d always incredibly triumph anyway love you love you all I will love and miss him until I get to see him again someday on the other side I will Think of him daily and when I hear music and see Rutgers football and in my nightly prayers as always So farewell sweet cousin my Charles Alan xoxoxo love, always and forever cousin karen And love richie too
Molly we are so very sorry to hear. Chuck was always a pleasure to talk too and truly a pleasant guy to be around. We are saddened for Joseph. His wonderful father was taken too soon. You are in our thoughts and prayers at this time. Any support we can give please let us know. Please know we are there.
Jeanie, Gene, Jack and Fletcher DAlessandro
My cousin Chuck will always be in my heart and soul. I am so heartbroken for his loss and my heart and prayers go out to all his loved ones. I always admired him – his kindness, sense of humor, intelligence, and family values. He accomplished so many things in life and was such an honorable man. He always treated me with such respect and love and admiration. I will treasure the memories of our fun childhood times when Judi and Chuck and my sisters and I would have such fun times and laughter. As we grew into our “teenage years” Chuck and I shared our love of music including the Grateful Dead and Kiss – singing and dancing to the first Kiss album and I would bring over new “cool” music to share with him. Years later at my sister’s wedding we danced and sang to the band playing “Dead Flowers”. I will always treasure my last visit with him and Molly and Joseph. You were all so kind to me and we had a lot of laughs. I will always remember all the kind and heartfelt texts we exchanged. He told me I taught him things about life and handling hardships and admired me – but for me his extreme courage and fight and kind heart taught me much more – he was the one admired and inspiring others. God bless all of the family. I am so sorry Molly and Joseph and to my sweet cousin Judi and your family. Finally to my cousin Chuck – I know you are in heaven and at peace – you might see me listening to our favorite old tunes and know I will always remember you and keep you in my heart Love You
Molly and Joseph,
I know you already know what a remarkable man, husband, and father Chuck was to your family. His family of friends extends around the world as well. Chuck was both a mentor and a friend, but more than that, he was a role model to me and so many others that were lucky enough to have him in our lives. He lived every day to the fullest, somehow always finding a way to balance work, multiple professional societies, teaching at two universities, working on his PhD, and mentoring the next generation, all while always being committed to putting his family first. I always found the amount he was able to accomplish without losing sight of what was important to be basically miraculous, and I’ve done my best to emulate this in my life as well. I had the honor of sharing winning Young Engineer or the Year in the same year that Chuck won “Engineer of the Year”, but it was so much more than just an honor for both of us. I will always hold dear his remarks from that day, as I know he did mine.
You and Joseph are in our prayers. And Chuck, a final toast over some way-to-expensive Scotch. May you be forever at peace, teaching those who want to learn.
Though I only met Chuck once, I know that Molly loved him very much and that he loved her after the first date. I remember when they first met and how happy she was. I remember she told me that after their first date he had gone on a date with someone else but that he said to her, ” I kept thinking about you the whole time and that I’d rather be with you, Molly.” That’s love. That’s rare and a treasure. The obituary was beautiful and it was a celebration of his life instead of sadness.
Sorry for your loss,
Lisa and Lois (my mom.)
Our sincere condolences for your loss. We just found out by reading your Facebook page. God be with you and your family during this difficult time.
I’m so very sorry and shocked to hear of Chuck’s passing. Although we haven’t seen each other in more than 35 years, I remember his friendly demeanor – usually happy, always helpful and supportive – like it was yesterday. Chuck and I had the honor of being banished from Phase 5 English senior year by a Brother who will go nameless – Chuck would want it that way – and had a tremendous time in the library together learning nothing and having fun. My high school experience would have been very different without Chuck – certainly most of his friends owe him a debt of gratitude for being the first to drive and always so generous with his car. He was a warm, happy, wonderful guy and I will miss him. My thoughts and prayers are with Molly, Joseph, Judi and all his family – Chuck was a good man.
I am so sorry to hear of Chuck’s unexpected passing. I had the opportunity to work with and be mentored by Chuck at AMEC. Chuck had so many talents and I was fortunate enough to have worked for and learn from him as he was able to push me beyond my professional comfort zones. My sincere condolences to you Molly, Joseph, and your family. My thoughts and prayers are with you today and always.
What a remarkable man who strove to improve the world using his gifts and talents. My thoughts and prayers for comfort in their memories of good times shared and their faith are with his dear wife and son during the days ahead as family and friends wrap around them.