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BORN
1940
DIED
2016
Charles Applegate Obituary
Our beloved father, Charles Richard Applegate left us on December 24, 2016, after a long and courageous battle with ALS.
He was born on April 8,1940, in Newburgh, NY to the late Alice Helen (McPoland) Applegate and the late Elmer Hazelton Applegate. After living in West Orange and Lake Hopatcong, NJ, his family moved to the Pleasant Plains area of Toms River, NJ. Rich attended Toms River High School from 1954 to 1957 and then proudly enlisted in the United States Army and served from 1961 through 1965 and rose to the rank of E-5 Specialist. After his military service, he settled in Beachwood, NJ and worked for Ciba-Geigy Corp. He later went on to become a successful Snap on Tools Dealer, many may remember his iconic truck "Just Toolin' Around." Throughout his life he was always active and had many interests including, boating, biking, kayaking and was a passionate motorcycle rider. He raced Enduros with his son Rich Jr. and after retiring to North Carolina he traveled everywhere including the historic Route 66 with his Son-in Law Adam, on his treasured Harley. Rich was a member of a local Hog chapter and belonged to the motorcycle club "The Apple Dumpling Gang." Another passion of his, was Classic Car collecting and avidly attended shows in NJ and NC. He made many friends along the way, and was loved by all and will be missed greatly.
He was predeceased by his wife of 33 years Lois Ruth (Klick) Applegate.
He is survived by his children, Rich Jr., Donna Applegate-Sutaris, his son-in-law Joe Sutaris, Jennifer and her husband Christopher, Cindy and her husband Adam Cohen, Kimberly Applegate and Tina and her husband Tony Raimondo: his grandchildren, Brooke, Brett, Skylar, Bailey, CJ, Camryn, Dana and Leah: his brothers, Leonard Applegate, Walter Applegate and Jerry Lee, and many nieces and nephews.
A celebration of his life will take place this summer on Saturday, July 22, 2017, 4 o'clock in the afternoon, at the Beachwood Community Center. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to, the ALS Association North Carolina Chapter (877) 568-4347- 4 N. Blount St., Suite 200, Raleigh, NC 27601. Special thanks to the Hospice team of Walnut Cove, NC and the amazing ALS clinic at Baptist Medical Center.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Charles Applegate
Bill Rouski
January 9, 2026
10 years can go by like a blink of an eye. The late 70´s..80´s and 90´s don´t seem that long ago but it´s 35-45 years ago. All the knowledge and know how is lost once one passes....You really only get to pass down so much knowledge/history of things but what is retained is minuscule by comparison. Hopefully there are exceptions to the rule...for Richie was a wealth of information and know how.
Tony
January 10, 2024
I will always remember you Rich
Bill Rouski
March 11, 2020
Richie, Donna, Jennie and Cindy and families. I am saddened to hear the loss of your Dad. My deepest condolences. Sorry I was not at the Celebration of Life memorial event at the BW Community Center...as I was unaware he passed until today..over 2 years later. Still remember the Snap-On trucks, the El Camino, the blue 72 or 70 Ford pickup. I even bought his or your Moms 72 Ford LTD. When the family moved to Pleasant Plains, we lost track of you guys. Jenny babysat our kids in the 80's. Cindy scared them with the Easter Bunny was living in your garage. Donna's 1st car was a white Chevy Chevelle or Malibu w/ a black top. Well, I'm still here at the same house next door. MaryAnn joined your Mom in heaven in 2013. Hope you all are healthy and doing well. Take care! Bill Rouski
May 22, 2017
i will never forget you Rich your friend,CRAZY-T
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Richard Troiano
May 1, 2017
My deepest sympathy to Richie, and family. The last time I saw Rich was at "Fridays", and the Toms River Post Office when he gave his usual friendly hello. Remember, we came from somewhere, he went back to somewhere. Maybe his is riding with Ronnie Blevens in a different world.
Rich Troiano, 71 Nova SS
Merrily Knott
March 15, 2017
In memory of a good man with a big heart. May he rest in peace.
JOHANNA MACK
January 16, 2017
MY DEEPEST CONDOLENCES TO THE APPLEGATE FAMILY.......ESPECIALLY THE MAYOR OF BEACHWOOD (RICH) WE WILL ALWAYS REMEMBER FONDLY YOUR FATHER ......MAY HE REST IN PEACE.........
January 15, 2017
Charles left no adventure of his desires unprospected (coined). That is relevant and his sons were totally involved. Good companions make life ever interesting. Proverbs 17:17.
Jack Jardel
January 15, 2017
I remember Richie very well. We spent a lot of time together during high school, riding around and working on cars.
Richie & I joined the Army together under the "buddy" system. Once we arrived a Fort Dix for basic training we were separated and never saw each other again until we got out.
He is a big part of my memories of that era which I'll never forget. RIP Richie.
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