Born April 23, 1933 at All Souls Hospital in Morristown to the late Harold C. and Helene E. (nee Russ) Risdon, Charlie lived in Millington and then Mountain Lakes for two years before moving to the family farm on Madison Road, Frankford Township at age 12.
Charlie graduated from Newton High School in 1950 and went to work for Culver & Vanauken until he was drafted into the US Army in May 1953. After receiving an Honorable Discharge as Corporal in April 1955, Charlie went to work for the NJ Herald and worked his way up from janitor, to assisting their photographer, to becoming a photographer himself and photo engraving zinc plates. He remained with the NJ Herald for 12 years during which time he photographed numerous accident scenes for the NJ State Police. Charlie then went to work for Mutual of NY selling life insurance for 3 years, followed by 13 years as a Claims Adjuster for Selective Risk. He then went back to school to obtain his independent insurance license, worked for Sunburst Agency briefly, and then became a partner in Tri-State Insurance Agency where he worked until he retired in 1995.
Charlie was active with Branchville Businessmen’s Club, Elks, American Legion, and American Cancer Society. Later, he was active with the Frankford Township Fire Department, Blue Ridge Rescue Squad, and served as Office of Emergency Management Coordinator for Frankford Township for several years.
Charlie enjoyed hunting and fishing with family and friends, playing poker with “the guys,” woodworking, golf, photography, as well as working in his garage fixing everything from chainsaws and lawn mowers to snow blowers and automobiles.
In addition to his parents, Charlie was predeceased by his brother Harold C. Jr. (Lucille), brother Hugh C. (Joann), brother Robert M. “Red”, and brother Edwin F. (DorisAnn). Charlie is survived by his daughter Heidi McCloskey of Carlisle, PA; daughter Karla Risdon-Nugent (John “Jay”) of Hewitt; daughter Ingrid DeLisa of Frankford; granddaughter Isabella DeLisa of Ocean; and sister-in-law Virginia of Simpsonville, SC.
The family wishes to thank all those who cared for and supported Charlie these past four+ years including his private caregivers, the VA of Castle Point, NY, Karen Ann Quinlan Hospice, Meals on Wheels, the NJ Fireman’s Home, and EnNoble Hospice.
Graveside services for Charlie will be held 11am Friday, November 22 at the Branchville Cemetery, Pine St, Branchville followed by a Celebration of Life at Harmony Ridge Office/Pavilion, 23 Risdon Drive, Frankford Township where he religiously made the trek every day at 4pm for coffee to see his brother and socialize with whomever was there.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in memory of Charles Risdon to Blue Ridge Rescue Squad, P.O. Box 232, Branchville, NJ 07826.
