Charles "Charlie" Plaia

(Asbury Park Press)

CHARLES "CHARLIE" PLAIA
AGE: 82 TOMS RIVER
Charles "Charlie" Plaia, 82, was called home to be with the Lord on Friday, Dec. 31, 2010, at the Rose Garden Nursing Home, Toms River. He was born Oct. 21, 1928 in Newark. He lived in Newark, Miami, Fla. and Union Beach before moving Toms River, where he lived under the special care of the Twenty One Plus organization for several years. Charles was a member of ARC of Long Branch and Twenty One Plus, where he was known as "The Comeback Kid" which earned him recognition as "Community Star" of NJACP for the year 2005. Charles was mentally challenged, but he taught us many lessons of compassion, love, kindness and joy. He touched so many lives and hearts. He will truly be missed by all his family members and friends.
He was predeceased by his parents, Peter and Frances (Pisciotta) Plaia; his sisters, Connie Willar, Mary Bucher and Catherine DeFalco; and his brothers, Sal and Joe Plaia. He is survived by his sister, Angelina Arace of Hollywood, Fla. He was an uncle, granduncle and a great-granduncle to many nieces and nephews.
Friends and family are invited to a memorial gathering from 1 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 15 until the memorial service to celebrate Charlie's life at 2 p.m. at the Quinn-Hopping Funeral Home, 26 Mule Road, Toms River. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent in his name to Solamor Hospice, 1415 Hooper Ave., Suite 203, Toms River, NJ 08753. Condolences may be sent to www.quinn-hoppingfh.com.