Charles F. Cheswick PE

Charles F. Cheswick, PE

Born on 5/31/1934 in Brooklyn. Charlie, known as Duke since becoming a grandfather 13 years ago, was born in Greenpoint, Brooklyn and was a lifelong, passionate and unforgiving Brooklyn Dodgers fan. He lived in Breezy Point, Queens - during the summer as a child and a year round resident when he married his loving wife, Brigitte, and as they raised their family. He attended St John's in Brooklyn for high-school, received an engineering degree from Manhattan College and played and loved baseball always. He served valiantly in the US Navy. He embraced life, was a good friend and neighbor and always lent a hand.

He spent his career improving public works, such as vast improvements to the Theater District in Manhattan and each of NYC's airports, as a dedicated civil engineer. As a father, he attended countless swim meets, softball games, tennis matches and any opportunity to cheer on one of his three daughters; he was the consummate encouraging and supportive fan to his girls. He sailed his cherished sunfish, sometimes dangerously, in unchartered territories in Jamaica Bay. He was also an integral member of the championship Huggy Bear softball team, of the Breezy Point Sunday Adult league. As a youngster, it was Charlie who hit the first home-run under the then new lighting system as recounted by many who were there. He was an avid letter writer and put together a series of his most impactful letters and suggestions to public officials and CEOs in a book called My Pen, where he argued for emergency safety protocols (which resulted in changes being implemented on the Disney monorail), traffic suggestions and countless others. He is also the beloved author of a unique and much loved children's book, Drizzles, which tells the cautionary tale of water conservation in an action packed and hopeful tale.

Duke was a visionary and had many ideas to make the world a better and more interesting place, including Serenity in Space, which sought to bring the dearly departed to space. We wish Duke much peace and love on his journey to the heavens.

He is survived by Brigitte, his loving and cherished wife of 49 years. As well as his three daughters and their families: Cindy Cheswick Capone and Joe Capone and their children Caleb, Peyton and Cassius; Kim Cheswick Williamson and Bret Williamson and their children Aidan and Wren; and Jenn Cheswick Satta and Herve Satta and their children Ascanio and Eli. He is also survived by his brother, Frank Cheswick, and sisters, Mary Henley and Margie Henderson.