Charles S. Michaels

Michaels, Charles S. VERO BEACH, Fla. Charles S. Michaels passed away peacefully on Friday evening, November 2, 2012 at Van Rensselaer Manor after bravely battling a long illness. He was born December 31, 1923 in North Belling ham, Mass. to Polish immigrant parents, Jan Michalowski and Marianna Glowka Michalowski, and later lived in Schodack, N.Y. and most recently Vero Beach, where he pursued one of his greatest passions: golf. He is survived by his sister, Lucille Nadolny, who resides in North Bellingham, Mass. His siblings included the late Stanley Michalowski and Irene Koloski. Charles was married for 25 years to his first love, Constance Gagnon, devoted wife and mother of Patricia Taylor, David Michaels (Marilyn), Joan Michaels, and Kathryn Saybe (Jose). He was subsequently married to the late Evalena Cleveland, who was his loving wife and best friend for 25 years. He was the proud grandfather of six, Christine Rogers, Alexander Michaels, Adam Crandall, Jennifer Michaels, Michael Saybe, and Vanessa Saybe, as well as great-grandfather to Abigail Rogers and Benjamin Rogers. Charles graduated from the New England Aircraft School in Boston, Mass. where he qualified for his aircraft master mechanics license in 1943. He served in the United States 3021st Army Air Force division as sergeant with occupational specialties as projectionist motion pictures and gunnery instructor in gun camera and air-to-air fighting during World War II, while stationed in Texas. He was awarded the American Service, Good Conduct and World War II Victory medals. He earned his bachelor's degree in textile engineering from Lowell Technological Institute (Lowell University) in Lowell, Mass. and joined Albany International Corp. (formerly known as Albany Felt) in Albany in 1952 as fabric designer. He worked for Albany International throughout his career in different capacities in St. Stephens, S.C., where he helped the company make strides toward integration in a segregated South during the turbulent 60s; Cowansville, Quebec, Canada; Blumenau, Brazil; Gosford, NSW, Australia; and Chatham, N.Y. He was instrumental in building the plastics business of Albany International Corp. in Chatham called Crellin Plastics. He long believed in giving back to the community as a member of the Lions and Elks clubs in South Carolina and New York State. He was a long-standing member of the St. Philip Benizi Catholic Church in Moncks Corner, S.C., where he co-designed and built the church, and the Church of the Holy Spirit in East Greenbush, N.Y. He was appointed to the South Carolina Chamber of Commerce by Gov. Robert McNaire. A memorial Mass will be held on Saturday, November 10 at 11:30 a.m. at the Church of the Holy Spirit, East Greenbush, with Fr. Joseph O'Brien officiating. Relatives and friends are invited to attend a pre-service gathering at the church at 10:30 a.m. A heart-felt thank you goes out to everyone at Van Rensselaer Manor in Troy and Rensselaer Community Hospice who took special care of Charles in his final days. In lieu of flowers, those wishing to remember Charles in a special way may make a contribution in his memory to the American Cancer Society. For additional information, please visit: www.wjlyonsfuneralhome.com