Charles John Malinowski

Charles Malinowski passed peacefully at home at 98 years old. He was a kind, honest and proud Deaf man who was quick to laugh, always smiling, and leading others by example. He went to the Trenton School for the Deaf in New Jersey where he was an outstanding athlete in both football and basketball. He played on their 1939 national championship basketball team and was later inducted into the school’s “Hall of Fame.”

When he graduated in 1942, he began his career working for Curtiss-Wright Aeronautical as a union, skilled machinist. He was proud to have helped the war effort, producing parts for B-17 bombers. He continued in his same career for forty five years until his retirement in 1987.

Charles was an ambassador for the Deaf Community. He always knew how to step across the communication divide to connect with the hearing world. He met his wife Dorothy in 1955 at the “North Jersey Silent Club.” He said that he fell in love with her the second he saw her beautiful smile. His two hearing daughters, Arlene and Diana, feel very lucky to have grown up in a loving home, in the embrace of a wonderful Deaf Community where they were taught sign language as their first language.

Throughout his life Charles held many leadership positions in Deaf Club including treasurer, social chair, vice president and president. In the Deaf Community, when someone passes it is said that they will spend eternity at the biggest and best Deaf Club in heaven. No doubt he is already running for president.

Charles was a very religious man and put his faith and trust in God. He was faithful to the teachings of the Church and always went out of his way to help others. Charles leaves a legacy of what it means to live with faith, joy and integrity. He inspired many Deaf and hearing individuals to be their best. To always be positive, caring and respectful. Those of us who knew Charles are much better because of him.

Charles is survived by his daughters Arlene Malinowski and Diana (Malinowski) Piasecki, along with son-in-laws Joseph Piasecki and Daniel Clark.