Charles E. Read, Jr.

AGE: 85 • Manasquan

Charles E. Read, Jr., died in his home in Manasquan, New Jersey, on March 21, 2016, at the age of 85. He is predeceased by his loving wife, Mary Jo (Canzonier) Read, of 37 years. He is lovingly remembered by his children, David Read, and his wife, Nancy; his daughter Jennifer Nowak; his daughter, Allison Read, and her husband, James Ebert; his daughter, Johanna Sobon, and her husband, Michael; grandchildren Gabrielle and Hayley Read, Jack and Julia Mae Nowak, James Ebert, and Daniel, Anna, and Gregory Sobon; his brother, David Shell, and his wife, Brenda; his brother-in-law, Walter Canzonier; his brother-in-law, James Canzonier, and his wife, Margaret (Peggy); and many nieces, nephews, grandnieces, and grandnephews.

Charles was born on January 28, 1931, in Laredo, Texas, to parents Eleanor (Ward) and Charles E. Read, Sr. He served in the U.S. Navy, playing French horn in a Navy band. Charles was graduated from Westminster Choir College with a bachelors in music in 1958 and a masters in music in 1961. He sang with the Westminster Choir on world tour, and his most satisfying musical experience was singing with the Choir in a performance of Mozart's "Requiem" at Carnegie Hall under the direction of Bruno Walter. He completed postgraduate studies at Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri.

Charles taught music and served as choral director at Point Pleasant Beach High School and was a founding member of the faculty at Ocean County College. He taught music appreciation, music theory, and voice in the College's fine arts department for 35 years. He founded and directed the Ocean County College Community Chorus and was most proud of its members and their dedication. In his retirement, Charles continued to sing sacred songs in many area churches and at community gatherings.

A funeral service will be held at Trinity Episcopal Church in Asbury Park, New Jersey, at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, March 29, 2016. There will be a private burial. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Trinity Church, 503 Asbury Avenue, Asbury Park, New Jersey.

For more information, visit www.OBrienFuneralHome.com.

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Published by Asbury Park Press on Mar. 24, 2016.

Memories and Condolences
for Charles Read

Sponsored by O'Brien Funeral Home - Wall.

20 Entries

Steve Ziadie

July 3, 2016

I'm so sorry to hear of Mr Read's passing. It was he who first introduced me to the joys of Baroque and Classical chorale music. I will never forget the incredible patience, and encouragement he gave me and his kindness in allowing me to sing in the OCC Community Chorus. It was his mentoring that gave me til this day, a love for polyphony, classical, and sacred music. I would like his family to know that although it has been 30 years since I last sang with him, that he is always and has always been in my mind and heart every time I hear those works we performed before Christmas 1984. I will pray for him and for his family from now on. Thank you Mr Read. May God welcome you into the presence of His choir!

March 29, 2016

All my prayers for this fine man and you, his family.

Much love,
(Big) Mark

March 29, 2016

We are so very saddened by this news! We are sure we join many, many friends, colleagues, and acquaintances in trying to express our sense of loss. Our relationship with Charles spans many years, many events, and many tears along with much laughter and joy. It feels very much like the end of an era. Charles' passing will indeed leave a void in our lives and with it, an ache in our hearts. Our deepest sympathies to the Read family.
Phillip & Carolyn Moore

me on OCC Campus

Lenabell Manning

March 29, 2016

Charles was my favorite teacher at OCC. Attending in 1969 to 1971 and being a music major, he was my only teacher. He made my experience at OCC memorable. I loved singing in the OCC Community Chorus with him. He worked us hard but got great results. He expected much from us and even more from himself. He pushed us and himself to be the best we could be. He was passionate about teaching and it showed in every aspect of his life. He will be greatly missed. I volunteer every year for the Salvation Army Corp in Asbury Park. I am one of the Bell ringers for their Christmas Red Kettle drive. He would always come to my stand to say "Hi" and see how my family was doing. I will treasure all my memories of him. He is now singing with the angels around God's throne and with his beloved Mary Jo. To his family - May God give you strength and peace during this time of loss.

Elizabeth Mitchell

March 29, 2016

To Charles' family and friends--I knew Charles from the time I joined the OCC faculty in 1967. He was so full of intelligence, enthusiasm, humor, life. It was a privilege to play flute a number of times with the orchestra he assembled to accompany the OCC Chorus. What a passionate conductor he was! How beautifully he sang at the funeral of our department chair, Jim Doran. For some years after we had both retired I talked frequently with him when he was playing French horn in the Manalapan Symphony. He wrote me a beautiful life-sustaining letter after i burst into tears, trying to tell him, at the end of a Christmas break, that my husband had been diagnosed with incurable cancer. He never got over the loss of Mary Jo. He was aristocratic and down to earth, a special person if there ever was one, humorous and profound. It was a privilege to have shared some small part of his time on earth. My deepest sympathy to his family and all of his friends.

Liz Mitchell

Kathy Lacko

March 28, 2016

So sorry about Charles passing. I loved dancing with him in Zumba class at The Atlantic Club. I always called him Charles "In Charge". He will be missed by all the Zumba gals. Such a sweet kind man with a beautiful singing voice. Rest In Peace my dear friend.

March 26, 2016

What great memories we have of the Read family! Seeing him in the hallways at PPB High School and watching the kids on Monday nights while Mom & Dad were at OCC.
Keeping all of you in our thoughts and prayers.

Love Jim & Anne Vescovi

Bram Conley

March 25, 2016

I am so sorry to hear of Charles' passing. We enjoyed playing horn quartets together and were colleagues at OCC for many years. We told french horn stories to each other and had many laughs. I loved his Texas stories.

Joe Palmer

March 25, 2016

Mr. Read and his family are in my thoughts & prayers.
He was always very kind and talkative when he was my customer at the bank for many years. He will be missed!

Bob Morris

March 24, 2016

Charles, what a pleasure it was to sing for you in my years as a student at OCC and being a member of the Community Chorus. You were a perfectionist in everything you did. You will be missed. Rest in peace my friend.

March 24, 2016

Oh Charles, how we all will miss you. Can't believe you will not be standing next to me. You were such a lovely man. Will be missing you for a very long time. Hard to believe you are not with us anymore.

Lisa D

March 24, 2016

Charles was such a ray of sunshine when he came to the Atlantic Club for his class. His smiling face will be missed. He truly was a gentleman. I'll miss our conversations. My deepest sympathy to his family, he will truly be missed by members of the club and staff also.

March 24, 2016

Charles was a perfect gentleman, courteous, sweet always smiling. A definite pleasure to see him when he came to the Atlantic Club.
He was truly happy when he came to dance!
He will truly be missed by the members as well as staff. With sincere sympathy.

-Lisa D

Maggie Cockerell

March 24, 2016

Love and condolences from Maggie (Farren) Cockerell and family.

May the road rise up to meet you.
May the wind be always at your back.
May the sun shine warm upon your face; the rains fall soft upon your fields and until we meet again, may God hold you in the palm of His hand.

Jane Wondrack

March 24, 2016

Charles was our Zumba buddy...always smiling, ready to sing Happy Birthday...such a kind, true gentleman. We'll miss our "Zumba Cooldown" dinners with him, he with his "City Gin". He was a true inspiration to us all! Rest in Peace my friend!

March 24, 2016

Prayers and condolences from John Kohlmann family.

March 24, 2016

Please accept my condolences, may the family find comfort @ Issiah 25:8,AJ

Anne Brousell

March 24, 2016

What a guy always happy. We talked a lot about motorcycles and riding Loved to see him in Zumba class at Atlantic club. RIP my friendAnne Brousell

March 23, 2016

Thanks to Mr. Read, I have a beautiful egg that was professionally painted by a well known artist.

I will miss his comments on my home and yard improvements! :)

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