Testimony for my friend Charles Lawson
Where do I start with this guy? Let’s go back to over 30 years ago when Chuck an electrician got bumped to my crew that was charged to maintain the toughest department in Rochester Products, die cast and the re-melt facility. If you ever wondered what hell might look like, this could fit the bill. There was fire, smoke and hot metal at a very large scale. It was one of the biggest facilities of this type in the United States and dangerous.
Right from the start, I noticed Chuck had unique abilities, fixing broken complex machinery wasn’t just a job to him it was a personal challenge. He soon earned the respect of the entire department as the go to guy for troubleshooting. He was so good I considered him a key player in the department and indispensable. When you spend many 12 hr. days and 7 day work weeks with someone, you get a good sense of a person’s character. Countless times a key piece of equipment went down at the end of the shift or on the weekends, and my back was to the wall. I could always count on Chuck to stay with me no matter how long took to get the problem fixed. Sometimes I couldn’t get him paid because of union issues, but that didn’t stop him from giving his all.
I formed a very strong bond with Chuck; his was my right hand man and could run the department better than I could. He knew who the players were, their strengths and weaknesses.
That was Chuck the co-worker, but Chuck the person got even better. His love of family and country was endless. A lot of our discussions always centered on his wife Jane and his children and grandchildren whom he adored. The first time I met his family; I became the luckiest guy in the world, I had acquired another family. I love them all. Their character is a testament to both Chuck and Jane to love and devotion they have for each other and their children.
When we retired the bonds remained with both our families. Chuck would stop buy the house almost daily and share with us his find of cookies, have a coffee or coke. He chewed the fat with me and my wife and always gave updates on the kids. He had earned the adoration of our children with his colorful stories and sense of humor and wit.
One of the favorite fun things I did with chuck was rock and roll trivia. Name that tune, who or what group did it, and what year was it released. He always beat me. I would get late calls at night and he would say “mike, look this up for me and find out what group did this song”. Some of the tunes I never heard of. I would eventually find it and play the song for him on YouTube over the phone. The truly amazing thing was he knew the lyrics. Buy the way, Jane isn’t too shabby at this either.
Chuck and food; I always told Chuck that he had Italian blood in him somewhere. It had to come when the Romans conquered the island. He would always get mad and say “they never conquered the Irish tribes”. I would counter, with your love of sauce; someone in your blood line must have crossed the line way back when. We would both laugh.
My heart is broken, I lost a great friend, he was my goomba. I will always be thankful that he befriended us and made us part of his family.
With Love and Affection,
The last time I talked to Chuck on the phone, he said “Jane sits right by my side. She is an angel.”
I truly believe you are. Love you two. Keep in touch
Aunt Joyce & family
This is all still surreal and brings many tears. I remember all the little things we would do . All the things you taught me about … from our garage plates to our milkshake runs together it will all be memories I favor of us together. You were the best uncle a person could be blessed to have an I’m forever great full you were mine. 1,2,3 on your feet soldier as you walk the beautiful heavens above and watch down on us all. Until we meet again I will forever miss you and my heart aches with the love I have for you.
Uncle Chuck was the star of the show when he would come around. He would teach me many sayings of the little Korean he knew from his time in the military. His amazing story’s never got old and his voice is always missed. Please say hello to Mom (Tiffany Love) while in heaven. I love you both, may we all meet again ♥️ -Lauren Love (Great Niece)
Jane,
Your words spoke deeply of what a decent, kind, loving, funny man you were blessed to spend so many of your years with and I thank you for sharing with those of us who didn’t know him. Your passage spoke volumes of the life you and your family had with this marvelous man. My heart is with each of you and will remain as you navigate all the difficult days ahead.
My grandpa was my best friend. Going over there over the summer was some of the best summer memories. We would swim all day, then have a campfire and occasionally spend the night. But one of my favorite memories is when i was younger, whenever we would make a trip to tops i would always go. As we passed by the grapes he would always ask me if i wanted to buy some, i would always say “i don’t know” he would respond with “here let’s go test them out” and we would take 1 green grape and 1 purple grape each and try them. I’m thankful for all the laughs and good memories he gave me. i love you forever grandpa❤️ have fun up there, say hi to Memo 🙂
I have allot of memories with you guys and I remember always thinking he is so happy and funny. As a child he always made me laugh and feel so welcomed I love you guys and my heart goes out to all of you. He was one of the best guys I ever had the privilege of meeting.
Uncle Charlie was the family encyclopedia of humorous stories, and historical facts. With Uncle Charlie there was no such thing as a short or one word conversation.
Charlie and Jane brought humor and love everywhere they went and we will miss our “Uncle Charlie”.
Love
Jim ,Joan
Catherine and Alex Sponn
Uncle Chuck, you were my mom’s baby brother. She was your mother after losing your mother at such an early age (you were only 11 when your mom died). When my mom died, you told me that it was like losing your mother again. Now you get to be with them again. ❤️ Jane, Scott, Kim , Jen and Julie, although my heart is broken for you, I’m happy that Chuck gets to join his mom, dad and sisters again. What a reunion that must be. I love you all and can’t wait until I can give you each a big hug.
Love and prayers to all of you,
Patty Kid
Testimony for my friend Charles Lawson
Where do I start with this guy? Let’s go back to over 30 years ago when Chuck an electrician got bumped to my crew that was charged to maintain the toughest department in Rochester Products, die cast and the re-melt facility. If you ever wondered what hell might look like, this could fit the bill. There was fire, smoke and hot metal at a very large scale. It was one of the biggest facilities of this type in the United States and dangerous.
Right from the start, I noticed Chuck had unique abilities, fixing broken complex machinery wasn’t just a job to him it was a personal challenge. He soon earned the respect of the entire department as the go to guy for troubleshooting. He was so good I considered him a key player in the department and indispensable. When you spend many 12 hr. days and 7 day work weeks with someone, you get a good sense of a person’s character. Countless times a key piece of equipment went down at the end of the shift or on the weekends, and my back was to the wall. I could always count on Chuck to stay with me no matter how long took to get the problem fixed. Sometimes I couldn’t get him paid because of union issues, but that didn’t stop him from giving his all.
I formed a very strong bond with Chuck; his was my right hand man and could run the department better than I could. He knew who the players were, their strengths and weaknesses.
That was Chuck the co-worker, but Chuck the person got even better. His love of family and country was endless. A lot of our discussions always centered on his wife Jane and his children and grandchildren whom he adored. The first time I met his family; I became the luckiest guy in the world, I had acquired another family. I love them all. Their character is a testament to both Chuck and Jane to love and devotion they have for each other and their children.
When we retired the bonds remained with both our families. Chuck would stop buy the house almost daily and share with us his find of cookies, have a coffee or coke. He chewed the fat with me and my wife and always gave updates on the kids. He had earned the adoration of our children with his colorful stories and sense of humor and wit.
One of the favorite fun things I did with chuck was rock and roll trivia. Name that tune, who or what group did it, and what year was it released. He always beat me. I would get late calls at night and he would say “mike, look this up for me and find out what group did this song”. Some of the tunes I never heard of. I would eventually find it and play the song for him on YouTube over the phone. The truly amazing thing was he knew the lyrics. Buy the way, Jane isn’t too shabby at this either.
Chuck and food; I always told Chuck that he had Italian blood in him somewhere. It had to come when the Romans conquered the island. He would always get mad and say “they never conquered the Irish tribes”. I would counter, with your love of sauce; someone in your blood line must have crossed the line way back when. We would both laugh.
My heart is broken, I lost a great friend, he was my goomba. I will always be thankful that he befriended us and made us part of his family.
With Love and Affection,
Michael and Joan Pavone
The last time I talked to Chuck on the phone, he said “Jane sits right by my side. She is an angel.”
I truly believe you are. Love you two. Keep in touch
Aunt Joyce & family
This is all still surreal and brings many tears. I remember all the little things we would do . All the things you taught me about … from our garage plates to our milkshake runs together it will all be memories I favor of us together. You were the best uncle a person could be blessed to have an I’m forever great full you were mine. 1,2,3 on your feet soldier as you walk the beautiful heavens above and watch down on us all. Until we meet again I will forever miss you and my heart aches with the love I have for you.
Love always,
Hope
Chuck you would move mountains for your family. I will miss our weekly call. You will be missed by so many, but you will always be remembered.
Uncle Chuck was the star of the show when he would come around. He would teach me many sayings of the little Korean he knew from his time in the military. His amazing story’s never got old and his voice is always missed. Please say hello to Mom (Tiffany Love) while in heaven. I love you both, may we all meet again ♥️ -Lauren Love (Great Niece)
Were is Chuck? Oh he is on a hamburger run ,alot of people working over. Fast buck chuck
Jane,
Your words spoke deeply of what a decent, kind, loving, funny man you were blessed to spend so many of your years with and I thank you for sharing with those of us who didn’t know him. Your passage spoke volumes of the life you and your family had with this marvelous man. My heart is with each of you and will remain as you navigate all the difficult days ahead.
My grandpa was my best friend. Going over there over the summer was some of the best summer memories. We would swim all day, then have a campfire and occasionally spend the night. But one of my favorite memories is when i was younger, whenever we would make a trip to tops i would always go. As we passed by the grapes he would always ask me if i wanted to buy some, i would always say “i don’t know” he would respond with “here let’s go test them out” and we would take 1 green grape and 1 purple grape each and try them. I’m thankful for all the laughs and good memories he gave me. i love you forever grandpa❤️ have fun up there, say hi to Memo 🙂
I have allot of memories with you guys and I remember always thinking he is so happy and funny. As a child he always made me laugh and feel so welcomed I love you guys and my heart goes out to all of you. He was one of the best guys I ever had the privilege of meeting.
Uncle Charlie was the family encyclopedia of humorous stories, and historical facts. With Uncle Charlie there was no such thing as a short or one word conversation.
Charlie and Jane brought humor and love everywhere they went and we will miss our “Uncle Charlie”.
Love
Jim ,Joan
Catherine and Alex Sponn
Jane, so sorry to hear this news. Gary and I will keep you and your family in our thought. hearts, and prayers. Rest in peace Charles.
Uncle Chuck, you were my mom’s baby brother. She was your mother after losing your mother at such an early age (you were only 11 when your mom died). When my mom died, you told me that it was like losing your mother again. Now you get to be with them again. ❤️ Jane, Scott, Kim , Jen and Julie, although my heart is broken for you, I’m happy that Chuck gets to join his mom, dad and sisters again. What a reunion that must be. I love you all and can’t wait until I can give you each a big hug.
Love and prayers to all of you,
Patty Kid
Jane and family,
We are so sorry to hear of Charles passing during these trying times……
Jane, Carl and I are so very sorry to get this news. Please know we are thinking of you.