Brentwood, New York
A Lifetime of Pearls
At the end of a family barbecue on that last Sunday, the young man asked old-fashioned Charles Mills whether he had a moment for a private conversation — about his only daughter, Kari Mills.
It was to be another pearl of a moment to add to the strand of Charles Mills's life: That night in Manhattan when he first laid eyes on his wife-to-be, Mae. The purchase of their home in Brentwood, on Long Island. The birth of each of their five children. His promotion to assistant chief on the city's transit police force.
Now he was 61 years old, overweight, flirting with thoughts of retiring as an enforcement director for the State Department of Taxation and Finance. And a young man named Keith Favarulo was seeking permission to be his son-in-law. Charles Mills said yes, of course, then went into the backyard to be with his daughter.
He gave her a bear hug, joked that he would have to lose weight so that he could dance with her at her wedding. He also asked whether she was happy.
At that very moment, with a future as clear as that beautiful September night, she said that she was.
I knew Charlie since I was a little girl when he and my father worked together in NYPD. He showed such respect towards my father and they remained friends afterwards. I think of him and his family often
Shari
September 11, 2024 | Freeport, NY | Friend
I am Charles's now 12 year old grandson. If he was here today I probably would've loved him. My dad tells me how much he would've loves me, which just worsens the fact that he's now dead. I look forward to meeting him in heaven because I know how much he would've loved me. I miss him and wish I could've met him.
Adam Mills
August 29, 2024 | Family
My sincere condolences to Charlie´s family. Every September 11th I think of him. He was a kind man with a gentle spirit and always a smile. I met him while he was the Schenectady Police Chief, and I was on the City Budget Review Committee. He was a person everyone looked up to because of his honesty and integrity. He will be missed because he made a lasting impression on everyone that met him. You are all in my thoughts and prayers. May God give you comfort and peace.
LInda Dingman
September 12, 2021 | Other
I think of Charlie every year around 9/11. I met Charlie when he was the Police Chief in Schenectady, New York. I was the Director of Alternative Education for the school district and we had students who were immigrants learning English, those needing to get a GED, pregnant and parenting teens, homeless, and incarcerated youth. Charlie was a regular visitor to my school, Washing Irving, and would always provide the students with encouragement and stories of his own life. He was truly a...
Brenda Peters
September 11, 2021 | School
When I was teaching in St Ann's Brentwood NY, Charles Mills came into my class and introduced himself since Charles Jr and Kari were my students. I remember to this day his wonderful smile and his laugh when he told me he and my dad worked on the NYTP force together. On this day Sept 11 I always think of him. Thanks for letting me share. Love, Mrs Corkran
Lorraine Corkran
September 11, 2021 | Palm Coast, FL | Teacher
I had the privilege of meeting Maie Mills on the 9/11 Tour when my young son and I visited NYC in 2009.
It was an incredibly moving experience to have Maie tell the story of that tragic day and her husband Charles.
I have never forgotten Maie and my thoughts are with the Mills family on the 20th anniversary of this September day.
Dave Rynne
September 09, 2021 | Sydney Australia | Acquaintance
I'm of no relation to Mr Mills (I'm from the UK), but I would nonetheless like to offer my condolences to this family with whom I share a surname, and therefore a connection, however small.
I was 10 when 9/11 happened, and the images from that day have stuck with me into adulthood, and they always will.
Thomas Mills
June 02, 2021
I don´t have any memories I am his 11 year old granddaughter of him middle child Alex Mills and I never got to meet him.
Charlize Mills
December 06, 2020
I visited the 9/11 memorial in June 2016 on a business trip, and I made a random picture of one of the names at the memorial. Today I found that picture on my mobile phone and searched for that random name. It turned out to be Charles.
I have read the story and please tell me that Kari and Keith are happily maried at this moment, and that all the other children and his widow Mae are fine and have found hapiness again.
Bless all of you, victims & search rescue personel...
R Krol
November 16, 2018 | Grave, The Netherlands | Acquaintance
