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Charles L. "Chuck" Holzman Sr.

Charles Holzman Obituary

HOLZMAN, SR., CHARLES L "CHUCK", 81, of Winter Springs, passed away at home, surrounded in the love of his family. Born in Cincinnati, Chuck brought his family to Winter Springs, following his 23 years of service in the US Air Force. He again answered a call to service by joining the Fire Service in 1973, and was appointed the first official Fire Chief of Winter Springs. Upon his retirement in 1991, Chuck and Ruth, his wife of 58 years, enjoyed traveling, cruising and family get-togethers, great and small. He will be remembered for his kindness, generosity and inviting nature. Chuck is survived by his wife, Ruth; 3 children, Suzanne (Jerry) Van Kirk, Charles Jr.
(Sharon), Cathie (Ray) Duquette; 7 grandchildren, Christopher Van Kirk, Erik Van Kirk, Lindsey
(Cameron) Maples, Natalie Euler, Nicole Duquette, Daniel Duquette and Pamela Stacey; four great-grandchildren, Elayna Euler, Kayci
Duquette, Aaron Lance and Drake Lance; his sister, Carla Conlon; many nieces and nephews, extended family members. And there are those who were part of his family for a time, loved as his own, and stay close at hand. Chuck was a kind, understanding, loving man whose quiet strength shored up anyone in need. He will be fondly remembered in a multitude of ways, as each of us carries him in our hearts. Friends will be received on Thursday, May 19, 6 to 8 pm, at Nativity Catholic Church, Ronald Reagan Blvd, Longwood. Funeral Mass will be celebrated Friday, May 20 at 10 am. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the American Cancer Society.

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Published by Orlando Sentinel on May 18, 2011.

Memories and Condolences
for Charles Holzman

21 Entries

Pat Schraff

May 12, 2022

There isn´t a day go by that I don´t think of Chief (Chuck). He was my boss for many years, my friend and father figure after my father passed. Love and miss him and his family very much. Rest in piece Chuck

sandi perry

June 5, 2011

The love and laughter we shared over the years were great and special times. Even though we didnt hardly get to see each other like we would have liked, it never changed the closness I felt for the two of you. Chuck and Jim are up there having a good reunion , but not surking there duties of watching over us. Ruth you still are a great friend like sisters. Take care and if u ever need me I am here. love you

Ruthann Gunter

May 29, 2011

Ruth, Saying I am sorry to hear about Chuck seems very small, but I know he will always be with you. Your friendship over the years has been a blessing I will always treasure. Love to you and Chuck will be in charge of pouring out the rain in heaven with a smile.

Jim Nusekabel

May 28, 2011

Chuck will be missed up here in Cincinnati also. My brother-in-law for most of my life, our sympathies to my sister Ruth and the entire Holzman family.

May 28, 2011

Ruth, my thoughts and prayers are with you. I will always remember
Chuck just as you described him in the obituary, a truly good man.
Rita Rose

May 22, 2011

This is for Ruth and family. Speaking from my own experience I am truly sorry to hear of your loss. There's a big hole left in your life. He was a good man! Gary Ledbetter

Pam Lallathin

May 21, 2011

I have known the Holzman family since I was in 4th grade. Chuck felt like a second father to me. He never had a problem correcting things that he thought Cathie and I did wrong, but NEVER in a mean way. Later in years Chuck ended up being my husbands boss and when he retired he recommeded Tim to be his replacement. Chuck always made everyone feel like they were very important and always at ease. He was such a kind and giving man. I will always remember the smile that he constantly had on his face. I will also keep in my heart forever the last time that I saw him, just a few days before he passed and how I felt when he smiled at me and said "Hey kid how are you?". Good bye Chuck, rest well and I will always keep you in my heart. You now can see Tim again.
God Bless the family you left behind.
Love always,

Sherry Norman

May 21, 2011

I didn't know Chuck very well but from the opportunity I did get to know him and his wife Ruth, I know that he was a loving, caring, gentle man. It was evident how much his family and friends meant to him. I know he will be missed. Praying that peace and comfort surround those he's leaving behind as they mourn his loss. God Bless you all!

Rob Burkhart

May 20, 2011

I have many fond memories of Mr. Holzman.and my childhood growing up with great neighbors.God bless you always. Mrs. Holzman, Skip, Suzanne and Cathy and your extended family. My thoughts and prayers are with you.

debbie gosselin

May 20, 2011

i love all of you, let me know if i can do anything

Patrick Conlon

May 20, 2011

Chuck was my uncle......my memories go back, as far as I go back......every word that comes to my mind to describe Uncle Chuck are adjectives that all of us hope, descibe ourselves....

Uncle Chuck naturally, reached out to everyone he met. Reached out with his smile, his Wisdom and his willingness to help, everyone....

Chuck was a doer. No matter the task, he could be counted on when a helping hand was needed.

Uncle Chuck had a funny bone! He was fortunate to enjoy Aunt Ruth as his life long partner.....a partner in humerous and hilarious crime.

Uncle Chuck lived a life of Compassion for everyone, thus all who came in contact would be comforted by just knowing him.

Chucks family was the his source of strength,as well as, his most signficant achievement. This past March, while visiting, that was clear....all three of his kids and various grandchildren, frolicked in Chuck and Ruth's beloved back yard. Just being part of the scene, filled my soul with hope, It made me realize that family is to be cultivated and cherished, if we are to live a rich life.

peace and love,
Patrick Conlon

Pat Schraff

May 20, 2011

Family isn't always blood. It's the people in your life who want you
in theirs; the ones who accept you for who you are. The ones who
would do anything to see you smile, and who love you no matter what. Chuck and Ruth always made me feel so special. I will miss Chuck ever so much, but knowing he is at peace warms my heart.

Robert Schraff Blair Div. Chief Ret.

May 19, 2011

Dear CHief,

I want to thank you for giving me a start in the fire service, you were a mentor as well as all the men and women at Winter Springs Fire Department.

I am proud to call you Chief, it was always hard for me to call you Chuck as to me it did not fit, it was always Chief and Ruth, just ask my Mom, i would call to talk to her when i was in Pa. and i would ask how is Chief and Ruth.
You taught me Respect, Pride, Friendship, Brotherhood, but most of all Honor.
We had a chance to get together with Chief and Ruth a few weeks ago for Mom's birthday , it was so nice to see both of them since it has been along time and they looked great, we ate talked alittle and said our good byes.
I am honored to have worked with and known such a great man.
My prayers and thoughts go out to Ruth and the Holzman family, God Bless You All.

Steve Gaston

May 19, 2011

I will always remember Chief "Chuck" Holzman as a kind and soft-spoken man...

Chief Holzman served with high honor and distinction amongst his peers. Chuck was a LIFETIME member of the Central Florida Fire Chiefs' Association and will be dearly missed by his extended fire service family... I am proud and honored to have known him over the many years...

My thoughts and prayers are extended to Ruth and the Holzman Family...

Steve Gaston, Fire Chief [ret]
Altamonte Springs Fire Department [FL]

Michelle Lundy

May 19, 2011

Dear Cathie and family. I never had the opportunity to meet your father Chuck, but I can only imagine your grief and sense of loss. My heart goes out to you and your family. Your Dad sounds like he was a real "piece of art work" and has left a legacy of love and living life to the fullest. May we all learn from him.

Cathie Duquette

May 19, 2011

The man was the very definition of love. I was given the task of making a picture tribute to him and as I went through pictures of his life, I was reminded of a few things:

A lifetime is a blink of an eye and although I know he had no regrets, we do…what will we do without him?

His smile…he gave it to everyone, freely and with genuine love. I don’t believe he had favorites, not even me ? ; we were his life; he cherished all of us.

He had the best time, always. Any get together, party or celebration was to be enjoyed to the fullest and if he looked goofy doing it, it was considered a success and would be regaled for years.

He spent 23 years in the Air Force and another 21 years as a Fire Chief. While he always had fond memories of both, it was his family and friends that made him smile. Friends easily became family, too. It was a natural progression for him; make a friend, and very soon they were a part of his family. He knew what was important and never let the negative get to him. There is something to be cherished out of every day and he really did dance with life.

Dad, we’ll miss you more than you would have ever guessed. Everyone who knew you is richer for having you in their life and it’s going to be hard not seeing your smile. Your sense of joy and most of all, your love will carry us through.

Chuck, honey, dad, grandpa, friend: We love you and you will be in our hearts always.

Love,
Sam

Judy LeFiles

May 18, 2011

Chuck is one of the kindest people I know. He loved his family more than anyone I have ever met. My heart and love go out to Skip, Cathie, Suzanne and Ruth. He is one angel that will be missed forever and will never be forgotten.

Ginger Balevre LaMotte

May 18, 2011

I am so sorry for your loss, Chuck was an amazing man. My thoughts and prayers go out to his family. I am so thankful to of had him in my life, I have so many memories of him and growing up with him in my lie. I just wish I would have spent more time with him and Ruth in my adult life. I will miss you dearly. I am here if you need anything.

Wanda Kunkel Baker

May 18, 2011

Mr. Holzman is the father of one of my dearest friends, Cathie, and he also was my father's boss for a time in the Air Force. I remember him as a kind and honorable man, one with true integrity. My heart goes out to Cathie, her mother, Suzanne, Skip and the entire family. I know he will be greatly missed, and my prayers are with all of you.

Jesse Veseleny

May 18, 2011

Although I've only met Chuck a handful of times, he's one of those guys that you like right away. My sympathy extends to the whole family. I'm very sorry for your loss and I will miss him just as much as you will.

Liz Elder

May 18, 2011

My fondest memory of Uncle Chuck is when we stayed in Florida on a Christmas break and he "teased" my baby Jordan about her blanket & thumb sucking, during our visit. Gentle heart... with a great sense of humor. Praying for your whole family during this time of loss. He is now at rest in the loving arms of our Father, after a very fulfilled life on earth. HUGS and prayers....
Liz, Jeff and family

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