92, passed from this world peacefully on February 9, 2021. Born in Egg Harbor City, New Jersey, on April 27, 1928 to William and Constance Reich. Charles was the eldest of their four sons: Charles, Jack, William, and James Ronald. He graduated from Holy Cross High School, Villanova University, and the University of Pennsylvania Dental School. He stayed a lifelong fan of Villanova athletics. Charles served his country during the Korean War, where he met the love of his life, Kathleen Woodhouse Reich. They were married for 66 years prior to her passing in 2018. He was a faithful and dedicated husband and they enjoyed a very long life together.
Charlie had a love of Jazz music and was a talented musician in his own right, playing many reed instruments. Even learning the bag pipes later in life after a trip to Scotland with his wife Kathy. He passed along his love of music to all of his children and that love is evident in his grandchildren and great grandchildren. While he went through Dental School on the GI Bill, he earned extra money playing music gigs on the side, all the while raising a growing family. Upon graduation, the family moved to Fort Lauderdale in 1958 and he opened and maintained a successful dental practice for decades. Ultimately raising eight children, educating and sending them all through 12 years of private Catholic School. Charlie and Kathy always had a sense of adventure and enjoyed camping together all over the United States with their family and continued that practice very late into their lives. Their love of camping and adventure has inspired many of their children to this day and beyond. He taught his three sons at a young age the joys of fishing, sailing, scuba diving, and hunting.
Charlie was a valued member of the community, volunteered without acknowledgement, and served many faithful years as a member of the Kiwanis Club, Lions Club, and the Knights of Columbus. He was a faithful and lifelong Catholic, an usher at Our Lady Queen of Martyrs Church, and a donor/supporter of St. Thomas Aquinas High School. After Fort Lauderdale, the couple moved to Ocala for a while and then relocated to Sarasota, FL in 2012 and they have enjoyed their time there while building new friendships and maintaining strong ties to their family. Charlie enjoyed his weekly card games and was an avid reader and follower of sports and music. He had a phenomenal memory and prided himself on remembering everyone’s names and where they were from. He was an honest man of good character, a kind soul, a strong patriarch, a great provider, a talented musician, but most importantly, a wonderful and loving father. He inspired and taught all of his children and his love and talent will live on for future generations to come.
Charles is survived by his eight children: Constance DenBleyker, Michael Reich, David Reich, Steven Reich, Susan Lombardo, Carol Gollnick, Elizabeth Grauel, and Marianne Howanitz. His many grandchildren and great grandchildren will remember him fondly and miss him dearly. Charles will be laid to rest with military honors at the Sarasota National Cemetery and a family Celebration of Life gathering to follow at a date to be determined due to the current Covid related delays.
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