Charles I. Killeen

Randolph:  Charles I. Killeen (Chuck) passed away on Wednesday, September 19, 2018 at his home surrounded by family.  He was 95 years of age.

Chuck was a loving husband and family patriarch and this love was bestowed on all family members and friends. Throughout their marriage he was always there to support and encourage his wife Phil. He was a constant pillar of strength for the extended family.

Chuck was born and raised in Chicago, IL.  His interest in sports was developed at an early age and continued throughout his life. As a high school wrestler he was Chicago city champion. He began running in the sixties and became a fixture at the Randolph high school track running his consistent 8 minute miles. His running diary records 15,000 miles of runs. He faithfully exercised with weights until the last week of his life. He and Phil bowled together for many years. Skating and golf were also favorite sports for Chuck during his life. In addition to his participation he was an avid cheerleader to other members of the family during their sporting activities.

WW II was underway and upon graduation from high school he enlisted in the Navy and served for three plus years as a gunner aboard a number of liberty ships.  He received the bronze star for “courageous endurance” defending his ship from heavy enemy air attack in the north Atlantic. He saw naval action in the north Atlantic, Philippines campaign, Asiatic Pacific campaign, and the African Mideast campaign.

He married his wife Philomena of 73 years in 1944 and after the war they lived in Chicago and Bayonne before settling in Randolph in 1956 and raised their family.

 As an industrial engineer for Westinghouse of Randolph he was a key designer of the factory and worked there from the first day the plant opened until his retirement as a supervisor in 1983.

He was a Boy Scoutmaster and started Troop 167 in Wharton and served as assistant Scoutmaster of Troop 63 in Randolph. He took the scouts on many camping trips and hikes throughout NJ.

He was an active member of St. Mary’s Church and started their highly attended Bingo program. He also started the VFW Post 7333 of Randolph bingo program and is a past commander of the post. Chuck also provided start up guidance to St. Theresa’s bingo program. He served as a founding member and 1st Vice President of the Randolph Soccer Booster Association.

The Chicago Cubs had a lifelong fan in Chuck and they finally rewarded him with the World Series in 2016 with a 4-3 game win over Cleveland. That certainly was a rewarding day for him.

He was proceeded in death by his father Charles, mother Laura and his brother Edgar.

Survived by his wife Philomena (Phil) (nee Bilicki) of 73 years.

Four Children:   Edward and his wife Ann of Weston, MA.

                           Lenora Sadauskas of Hopatcong.

                           Joan Colquhoun and her husband Mark of Mine Hill.

                           Charles A. and his wife Erin of Rockaway.

He is also survived by 10 Grandchildren, 3 Great Grandchildren and many nieces and nephew.

Visitation will be held 2-5pm on Sunday, September 23, 2018 at the Bermingham Funeral Home, 216 S. Main St., Wharton.

A funeral mass will be held 10am on Monday September 24, 2018 at St. Mary's Church, Wharton.

Interment will follow at St. Mary's Cemetery, Mine Hill.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Charles I. Killeen, please visit our floral store.