Charles Joseph Updegraph

Charles “Charlie” Joseph Updegraph, of Vauxhall, NJ, died on November 11th, 2023, from the effects of a stroke. He was born in Elizabeth, NJ, to Blanche Davis and John Moore Updegraph, Sr., on August 20th, 1937.

Charlie was predeceased by his brother John Moore Updegraph, Jr., and is survived by his niece Becky and nephews John and David and their spouses Peter, Jill and Solly; as well as his grandniece Darya and his grandnephews Joshua, Matthew, Adam and Jacob.

A graduate of Union (NJ) High School, Charlie went on to earn a degree in Philosophy and Religion from Bates College in Lewiston, ME. At his high school graduation, he had the distinction of playing the organ in front of an audience of several thousand people. After his college graduation, Charlie taught elementary school and then spent over ten years in sales at College Textbook Publishing. Because college textbook sales followed the academic calendar, Charlie was able to enjoy generous summer vacations, enabling him to travel throughout Europe, Russia and Israel. He became very interested in choral music festivals in England and over many trips visited all 40 Anglican Cathedrals on the English mainland.

Upon leaving textbook sales, Charlie took advantage of a unique opportunity to combine his avocation with his vocation – selling Rodgers Organs in the Metropolitan New York area. For many years, he managed the company’s showroom at Carnegie Hall, so he could honestly say he played Carnegie Hall (but without an audience)! His customers included many internationally known organists.

Charlie was passionate about sacred and classical music, as evidenced by his vast collection of CDs. He was an Honorary Lifetime Member of the American Guild of Organists, where he served as treasurer for many years.

A devoted parish member of Saint Thomas Church in New York, NY, Charlie served on the Music and Organ Committees and was at one time Head Usher for Concerts. He was also a member of the Organ Historical Society, the American Theatre Organ Society, Saint Georges Society of New York, the Church Club of New York, the Incorporated Association of Organists (UK), the Washington National Cathedral Association, and the National Association of Pastoral Musicians.

A generous, reliable and attentive friend and colleague, Charlie was also known for his kindness and sense of humor. He was eminently lovable and befriended a wide collection of people. In his spare time, he loved to go to antique shops and flea markets, visit friends and family, and tend to his dear cats.

A memorial service for Charles will be held Saturday, December 16, 2023 from 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM at McCracken Funeral Home, 1500 Morris Ave, Union, New Jersey 07083.

His family requests that donations in his memory be made to:

North Shore Animal League America

16 Lewyt Street, Port Washington, NY, 11050

c/o The Donor Services Department

516-883-7575

Or go to https://www.animalleague.org/ways-to-give/tribute-gifts/ and scroll to the bottom and select “Make a Memorial Donation.”

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.McCrackenFuneralHome.com for the Updegraph family.